Blue Apron Restaurant & Red Rooster Bar
210 E Main St, Salem, VA, 24153
Blue Apron Restaurant & Red Rooster Bar Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Salem for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Salem for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Salem for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
210 E Main St
Salem, VA, 24153 - Phone (540) 375-0055
- Website https://blueapronredrooster.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mike P.
Not a cheap or fast food place. A real treat and half portions available for a lighter less expensive dinner or fun for shaing and smpling more of a great menu.
(4)Justin L.
This is hands down the best restaurant in the culinary wasteland otherwise known as Salem, VA. If you're in Salem and sick and tired of eating fast food or bar food, there's finally a real restaurant with great food. We went on Christmas eve for lunch, and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere, with good wine and beer choices. I had the roquefort salad as an appetizer, which was outstanding. My main meal was a steak with mushroom gravy, served with mashed potatoes and a salad. I was actually a little bit disappointed with my steak (it was a NY Strip but the cut wasn't that great) but DO NOT let this deter you from eating here. Everyone else in our party (of 9) really enjoyed their meal. I'll be back here for sure the next time I'm in Salem. Also, the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food, and the desserts at only $4 each were fantastic.
(4)Nomad V.
This is my favorite restaurant in the NRV.
(5)Ellen K.
Fantastic! Best coffee I've eve had! Food was great, tho portions are small.
(5)John S.
Let's begin with excellent service. We were a party of eight celebrating my son's college graduation. The restaurant was fully booked with families also celebrating a son's or daughter's graduation. Our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived so we were ushered into the small Red Rooster Bar area. While our party waited I noticed out of the corner of my eye, the owner, Scott, fastidiously setting the tables and making sure they did not wobble. That set the whole wonderful process in motion. Or serve, Stephanie, could not have been more helpful and patient, describing in detail menu items we queried. Scott came by as well to be certain we were comfortable (it was a tight squeeze as we had added members to our original party). The food could easily qualify for any up market restaurant in a big city. It turned out that Scot and the chef were both trained at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY. I predict very good things for Scott, his partners and his staff. What a great team.
(5)Courtney L.
My boyfriend and I stopped in when we checked out yelp for some lunch options while traveling through VA. We saw the great reviews that this placed had and thought we might as well try it. We were not disappointed. We were greeted by a wonderful hostess who sat us in a wonderful seat near the window. While traveling my phone was dead and when I asked about an outlet they went out of their way to find one for me to charge my phone while we ate. Our waiter was able to provide us with wonderful wine and beer options to go with our meals. Our meal was more than AMAZING. The presentation was to die for and our food was more delectable than we could ever have imagined. I don't think we left anything on our plates! I have gone out of my way to let those know what a wonderful treat we found while traveling through VA.
(5)Tori M.
A little pricey for the portions, but nice that they give you the option to do small vs large (even on the soups!) for someone who was in town solo on business. I liked being able to taste a few things without having too much food or spending too much money. Everything I had was delicious.
(4)Linnet T.
Great spot - best in the Blacksburg area! Small restaurant, very inviting atmosphere with its brick walls and hardwood floors. Fun selection of very tasty specialty cocktails to start! I particularly loved being able to order either half or full-sized portions of every dish. That enabled us to sample more dishes, and still have room for dessert! There were six of us, so we got to try a good portion of their small, well-executed menu, and enjoyed almost everything we sampled. (The exception was the white gazpacho which was too heavy and overly almondy for our liking.) Friendly, helpful service. A gem!
(4)Kevin B.
Small portions but the out of this world taste makes up for it and then some! Small place so I'd at least call ahead.
(5)John M.
Roanoke is justly not known for its cuisine. This is an exception . The decor is tasteful, but undercut by the noise and the closeness of the tables. Menu consists of small and large plates, which makes for experimentation. All to the good. The wait staff was friendly and professional. My wife had the fish stew, and she loved it. I had the ribeye steak, and I didn't. Well cooked, but excessively fatty. So take this as a partial review of a small part of the menu. I'd still recommend it.
(3)Nichole H.
We held a large dinner party here right before Christmas and it was incredible. The service was impeccable, the meals delicious, and the drinks were strong. This place is served somewhat small plate style, and it was really fun to try everyone's dish. The specials I will definitely be back.
(5)Johnny C.
We went to this restaurant after the Tech vs Marshall game and really enjoyed our experience. The small plate offerings were quite good and we tried some of the specials that they had on the chalkboard. We were a little late because of game day traffic but still had plenty of time to enjoy the food and service. When I made the reservation, I actually didn't mind that the host mentioned there's another reservation for my table at a certain time. With the size of the restaurant, it's understandable that the tables are reserved at various times throughout the evening. We asked about the rib-eye and the server highly recommended it. I was reluctant at first since I always order rib-eye at steakhouses like The Palm, Morton's, Capital Grille, etc. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the meat and how good it was. We also ordered Bouillabaisse, Hamachi, and Salmon and they were all quite tasty. The desserts were nicely portioned and at $4 each, you can sample all four of them. Overall, it was a wonderful evening at the quaint Blue Apron and we will be back when we visit Blacksburg again.
(4)Lyle R.
A really fine place in Salem, VA. Very high quality food with interesting choices. The atmosphere is nice in a minimally renovated old building, with the only negative being that the sparse decor and hard surfaces result in a high noise level. The noise level is increased because everyone eating here seems to be having a good time. We came for lunch and did not try the wines or beers, but the food was excellent. My wife had the salmon salad and liked it a lot and I had scallops which were done perfectly. We will hope to get back to the Blue Apron.
(4)Jayme M.
We were passing through Salem rather late into the dinner hour and found this gem. Of course, we didn't have reservations and weren't exactly dressed properly, but the hostess was very gracious and offered us seats at the tiny little bar. The menu was fantastic and included a pricing of small, medium or entree portions for many of the items. What a tasting extravaganza we had, starting with the watermelon gazpacho with skewered grilled shrimp and ending with the peach cheesecake. I'll look forward to returning to the Blue Apron as a set destination. I anticipate it will be well worth the trip!
(5)Sara J.
If this charming place were in the DC area, I'd eat here daily. Fresh, delicious upscale fare in a beautiful, casual bistro setting. Not surprising the chef's wife is an architect. The light filled rustic shabby chic dining room has all the right touches. And the staff? Genuinely kind and helpful. And then there's the food. Lunch started with perfectly silky potato leek soup and then I had dish of a lifetime. I've been on the search for a perfect foie gras since St.barths in 2004, and I found it in this little Salem, VA spot. A generous portion of foie, pan seared to perfection atop golden railings and a cherry bread crostini drizzled with something heavenly, all topped with delicate shaved salt. I practically fell out of my chair it was so good.
(5)Kelly M.
I have heard absolutely wonderful things about this restaurant, especially from an exceptionally knowledgeable instructor at Virginia Tech by the name of John Boyer. However, I was extremely disappointed in the customer service of its hosting staff -- so much so that I ultimately canceled my reservation. Last month my boyfriend and I attempted to reserve a table for a late Valentine's Day dinner on Friday, February 15th. We called several times during normal business hours two weeks before our desired visiting date, only to get the establishment's voice mail machine time and time again. The message on the machine instructed us to leave our contact information and the date and time that we wanted to join them for dinner. We did so, and never heard from a staff member. A week passed, we called again, and we finally came in contact with a hostess. She informed us that our voice mail was never received and that they had no record of our call, but that they could offer us a table at 5 PM or 9:30 PM on Friday the 15th. I was disappointed, but I fully understood that such a popular restaurant would of course be booked for dinner on Valentine's Day weekend. We settled for 5 PM, feeling lucky that we were able to snag a couple of seats at such short notice. On the morning of our visit we received a confirmation voice mail from a hostess. She briefly reviewed our reservation and finished her message with "just a reminder" that our table was reserved for another party of two right after us, at 6:45. She quickly asked that we call back to confirm our reservation before hanging up. I was instantly offended by her implication that we were expected to vacate our table in time for the next couple to be seated without interrupting the restaurant's schedule. Regardless of whether it takes my boyfriend and me one hour or three to enjoy a meal and a bottle of wine, I found this to be incredibly unprofessional. Maybe it was just a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, but I felt that they could have been handled in such a way that didn't drive me away from the place. We felt so negatively about the staff in general that we canceled our reservation and opted for Chinese takeout. I felt that my experiences before even setting foot in the restaurant might have irreversibly tarnished my impression of its food, and I just wasn't up for it. I'd like to give it another try in the future, but probably not for a little while.
(1)Joseph K.
I was quite surprised by this restaurant in town of Salem, Va. The place offers world class gourmet southern style food that you would see in New Orlean, and it was a real treat to find this place after driving for hours looking for decent place to eat. This place was absolute home run for me, if there was more stars available I would give it to them.
(5)Matthew B.
What a hidden gem this is! I went here for my anniversary with my beautiful girlfriend and had a fantastic dinner. We stared with drinks from the bar. I got a rhuby chalice and for dinner we both ordered two small plates each. She had the radicchio salad and her second dish was an off-the-menu request as she is a vegetarian. So cool! I had the mussels which were good, and the rib-eye with duck confit fries... Holy s*%t it was good. All and all the service was great, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the food was delicious. Also pricing was very fair.
(5)Anson P.
Almost a year later, and I finally decided to come back. Especially after a very particular spouse of a friend of mine told me that this was one of the few places that she approved of. Looking back at my old review stirred up feelings of disappointment. However, I was pleasantly surprised this visit. My two dining companions and I came with the intention of trying a bunch of dishes. I got the spicy fried oyster gumbo and the lobster on top of risotto. My two friends got the NY strip and the lobster bisque, as well as the butternut squash soup and the seared duck. The lobster bisque was ok as well as the gumbo. However, everything else was amazing. My lobster was cooked just right and the risotto was the right texture. My only complaint about it was that there was just not enough of it. I'm a growing boy and have been known to steal off other people's plates. The NY strip was pretty good, pretty flavorful but I think the best dish was the seared duck...oh so tender. And yes...I rectified my error of the first trip. I tried the dessert. One of my companions ordered two desserts for himself... and I approve. The apple cobbler was very good and the ice cream on top was the perfect accompaniment. And those of you who follow my reviews know that I love a good girly drink. And I would recommend to you the Parisienne Blonde. And I say this in the most manly way possible. Service was a little slow and thankfully, I had a reservation. Bottom line: I will definitely be back. TLDR: Anson had a better experience than the first time and will be back.
(5)Anne-Paige D.
I can't believe how amazing this place is! It is nice to see a spectacular restaurant open in Salem. We all got appetizers, small plate entrees and dessert and shared. All dishes were delicious and many had complex flavors that were difficult to identify (white Spanish gazpacho...yum). Nice work Blue Apron- can't wait to visit again next time we are in town.
(5)Dan P.
As you can see by the reviews, this place is awesome. My girlfriend and I were driving across the country, and needed to stop for some food. This place was a little out of the way, but we were so glad we drive the extra few minutes. Our waitress and the other on duty, were awesome. They were both asking about our trip and just very nice. On top of that, the food was amazing. We both highly recommend stopping in if your in the area.
(5)Ryan S.
Went last night and my girlfriend has some pretty strict allergies. The waitress already knew what allergies we had and what the options were. There was a hiccup in the prep and the kitchen caught the mistake as it came to the table. The chef apologized and took care of it without us even asking. At another restaurant a similar situation happened and the kitchen just wiped the steak off and sent it back out, Blue Apron scores extra points in my book for making it right, the right way. The food was fantastic too. My first experience at foie gras was fantastic.
(5)Daniel B.
I travel to Salem often and I am always looking for a great place to eat... my favorite sit down place in this category was Shula's 347.. This place takes it to the next level in Salem... My business associate and I were walk-ins, we were seated quickly even without a reservation... we were offered a table or to sit in the bar.. Please note that the bar only sits about 3 people wide... there's about 5 or so stools along the wall with a small ledge for drinks.. We decided to sit at a table.. the staff was nothing but professional... not ever intrusive... so we both ordered the beet & pear salad and the rib eye and the chocolate lava cake with ice cream... Beet & pear salad... never been a fan of beets... but this salad does it right... with a light vinaigrette and Blue cheese with pears and walnuts... excellent...the whole thing just dances in your mouth... Rib eye...(smaller portion) came with fries, greens, and a side of sauce.... the rib eye was cooked to perfection... tender and juicy... , the fries...done right... loved whatever sauce was served with it.... just about ate the plate... it was so good.. Dessert... $4 and perfect portion to split... had a little coffee from a french press with some baileys and Jameson... Note that their pricing may seem a bit weird to you... most everything has 2 or 3 prices, the least expensive is the smallest portion... the most expensive is the largest portion... Loved the layout of the place... its a great place for business or to take a date... decent wine list.... This is definitely not a place i expected to find in Salem... its now on my must visit list every time I come here... My only complaint about this place is maybe the parking... its right across the street from Macadoos...so its a little tough to find parking... really im nitpicking here...
(5)Dianna B.
My husband and I went here for our 2nd anniversary. We've had a hard time finding somewhere that wows us in the area. This restaurant did so. Everything was absolutely delicious. We had mussels, crab cakes, prime rib, and pork tenderloin small plates. We finished with creme brûlée, which was to die for! We decided to make this our date night go to place.
(5)Andrew W.
I stopped by here on a road trip home because I was tired of Arby's, Sheetz, McD's etc. in Salem, and I'm glad I did. They had reasonably priced lunch specials with free refills of really good sweet tea - like actual good tea, not sugar water. I had a steak wrap with a tasty salad and some fries, I think it was $8 or so. Definitely worth coming back to as a lunch stop -- though it's a normal restaurant, so they don't serve all day.
(5)Peter R.
Finger lickin' plate cleaning goodness... We could easily have been downtown in New York, or better - the service and ambiance was southern sweetness at its best. Late lunch was the perfect time to arrive. Enjoy!
(5)Sara B.
This place is definitely one-of-a-kind for the area. The food is spectacular, albeit quite pricey. The menu is very upscale French-New American fusion and it works very well. For starters, we ordered the butternut squash soup with duck ham, which we all agreed was easily the best soup any of us had ever had. We also got a field greens salad with goat cheese, pickled beets and mango in it, which was also an amazing combination of flavors and very fresh. For main dishes, we ordered the duck confit and lamb shank dishes, which were both unbelievably tender and moist, and full of flavor. And they didn't skimp on the meat, even on the smaller plate sizes. Unlike a lot of eateries in SW Virginia, "good" doesn't necessary mean "greasy" at this place. For those wondering, the small portions are about 6 oz; they'll satisfy people with smaller appetites as a standalone meal, or satisfy hungrier folks when accompanied with starters and desserts. They're much bigger than tapas. We finished the meal with apple cobbler and mint chocolate chip cheesecake. Both were good and reasonably priced at $4 each, but didn't stand out to us. We'd probably skip on dessert next time. Service was friendly and unobtrusive but slow, and the atmosphere was classy; dressy-casual, much like a brasserie. However, it was really cold in there (colder than outside on a Fall day!) and not particularly comfortable. The main reason I knocked off 1 star is because many of the portions were disappointingly small, almost comically so. The soup didn't even fill their small cups halfway, and I had to send back my original main entree, the foie gras, as the whole $13 dish was literally the size of a cracker. (That's not an exaggeration; I wish I took a picture.) Do not come here with a big appetite, as you will spend a lot of money and still leave hungry. However, if you want a spectacular but light meal, this is the place to go.
(4)Scott M.
Wow...what is this place doing in Salem?!?! We went here for my birthday dinner last month and I felt like I was Savannah or Charleston! The atmosphere, menu, service...LOVE IT! Made a reservation, which was a good idea. Met the owner/chef (Scott) on the way out. Appetizer: The mussels were recommended many fine folks on Yelp and they did NOT disappoint! Some of the best we have ever had. Almost got a second order. Be sure to get extra bread as this is a fine vehicle for the broth under the mussels! Entree: Ok...so this place has entrees or "small plates" that are larger than typical Tapas. We had small plates of Mahi and Lamb which were phenomenal! The waitress even had the portion split in the kitchen...which was more than enough food for us. Each dish had layers of flavor and texture. Waitress mentioned that the menu is seasonal and likely to change soon...which is exciting! Desserts: Honestly, not enough real estate. Bottom line: This is far and away our new special occasion dinner place. We can't wait to go back! Appy, two small plates, 4 drinks..~ $60 sans tip. They are also open for lunch that we look forward to trying!
(5)Heather Z.
Finally! We moved to Roanoke from NYC and let's just say eating out has not been that exciting until now. Blue Apron's food was top notch done to culinary perfection. (graduating from culinary school my standards are high) We had a party of 6 and everyone enjoyed a couple small plates (love this option) each... from the Bouillabaisse, Lobster Bisque, Crab Cakes to the Duck Confit and Lobster, everything melted in our mouths. Oh and the salads were divine. I know, I know how can a salad be divine? With just the right amount of ingredients that complimented each other paired with a scrumptious dressing = divine. We will be going back very soon and often. Reservations recommended!
(5)Don F.
Good food. Somewhat uncomfortable atmosphere.
(3)Gina C.
My fiance and I decided to try this place after months of curiosity. He had tried to get a Valentines Day reservation but waited a little too long, and apparently was laughed at by the hostess he spoke too. That left a little bit of a bad taste in our mouths. When it came to our anniversary, he tried to get a reservation and succeeded, but once again, the hostess he spoke to was quite rude to him. If he had told me before our trip there about that incident, I probably would have told him to cancel. When we did go for our anniversary I was very pleased with my experience. The food was excellent, and different from every restaurant in our area. We both had a couple beers, dinner, dessert, and a couple of after dinner drinks and it was $100. I really didn't think for the amount we ate and drank it was unreasonable. You could easily spend just as much at other local spots and not get nearly what you would get here. Will visit again.
(4)Jennfier C.
Great recommendation for Salem. I will definitely come back the next time I am in the area. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Bartender made some great drinks and the wine list was outstanding. I think the Chef/Owner actually was learning how to mix 'em up that night and did a great job at the bar. The lobster bisque was incredible. I only had a cup, which I thought was the perfect amount before diving into two more plates. I really liked the small plate options because this allowed us to try more things on the menu.. it was hard to decided. Chef/Owner was often in the dining room and I just love to see that. Interacting with the guests and getting feedback. You can just tell he is committed. My favorite entree was the flank steak risotto, with Maytag blue cheese... perfect and heavenly! Great place, comfortable ambiance, friendly - oh yeah, I'm going back!
(5)Olive O.
Excellent. Do not hesitate to try this place. They do half plates on everything and the food is just mouth watering amazing. Nothing else needs to be said.
(5)Jane R.
The best restaurant in the area...period. I've been searching for great food, great service, and great atmosphere and finally found it at Blue Apron. I can't say enough wonderful things about our experience - just make a reservation and go soon!
(5)Tonia S.
Excellent! We arrived last Saturday night right on time and excited to try this place. It was packed and our table wasn't ready so we ended up at the bar for specialty cocktails. They were all very good and truth be told, we probably would have had one anyway, even if were seated. When we were seated, the staff was knowledgeable and attentive. A benefit to this restaurant is the small plate option. We started with the foie gras and a few salads, followed by a small plate of everything on the menu. We ate family style, sharing a delicious cornucopia of entrees - salmon, seared tuna, chicken (my favorite), pork, etc. The food was excellent, the wine list was excellent, the staff was excellent. All that said, I don't know that I will go back. It was loud and I felt our small foursome had to yell to hear each other. I can handle that for great food, but considering the excellent choices we have in Roanoke, I do not see a point to travel so far for dinner. Between River and Rail, Alexanders, Metro, etc., all within 3 miles from my house and cab accessible, I don't see the point of traveling to Salem for fine dining.
(4)Susan E.
This is the crown jewel of Salem VA restaurants. Fresh ingredients, a menu that changes seasonally, innovative flavor pairings, large and small plates - relaxed and tastefully decorated atmosphere - full bar - exemplary, friendly and very knowledgeable service - definitely a must to experience. This is a place that other restaurants in this area should try and emulate. I hope they have many years of success. Cheers!
(5)Alan C.
Excellent meals for four of us. Nicely paced, helpful service. Interesting and delicious cocktails, good wine by the glass. The small plates allowed us to enjoy a greater variety of the great food.
(5)Robyn G.
By far our favorite restaurant in the Salem/ Roanoke area! And one of our favorites of all time. We had our New Year's Eve dinner here last night. I chose Blue Apron because my parents being from NY, and having eaten in exceptional restaurants all their lives, I wanted the best! They practically licked their plates! My mom had lobster and loved it. The crabcake was fantastic! My mom-in-law raved about the shrimp! Even my kids, who don't like anything but chicken strips, as a rule, (and no you won't find them on this menu,) ate their roasted chicken and steak, and the ridiculously delicious handcut fries - and I don't eat fries as a rule. Grandma got Creme Brûlée- which was fantastic- and my favorite thing is that you can order different portion sizes! Finally, a restaurant that doesn't assume you want to overeat and go home ill!!!! FANTASTIC!
(5)Judith S.
So glad to see fresh and local ingredients utilized and not hidden under thick sauces. I had an avocado-corn salad that was delicious. The yellow-tomato gazpacho was AWESOME. The dining space is small, so you'll need a reservation. A loud few people made the space feel a bit oppressive for my dining companions. I didn't mind as I'm from the city and was glad to see my friend. Moderately priced but easily be spendy. Worth it. Recommend: a nice, refreshing cocktail while you wait for your table.
(4)James P.
Came here with a friend. We tried the Crab cake (Amazing!) Shrimp & Grits (Amazing! Some of the best I've ever had). My friend had the BBQ Roasted Chicken (Said it was the best he's ever had, and it looked great! - the accompaniment was Outstanding). I also tasted the Steak, Duck Fat Fries and Asparagus (Amazing!). We also tried the Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake (Amazing!!) Wow, what a great place and fantastic meal!!
(5)Hermione L.
We are local foodies and have tried just about everything Roanoke and the surrounding area has to offer. When trying new places in the valley we found ourselves saying "not nearly as good as Blue Apron." Needless to say, Blue Apron is now our go-to for a nice meal out. If you like perfectly cooked, creative, beautiful, fresh, well balanced food...you will love Blue Apron. The menu offers a great selection of choices and the ambiance is lovely. My partner and I usually get 4 small plates and share them. We find it to be the perfect portion amount for dinner. We also like the choice in ingredients...there's usually an ingredient or two that we have to "Google" to learn what it is...which we like as opposed to an entire menu of ingredients that you have no idea what they are...Blue Apron is classy yet unpretentious. We can go there and "do it up" and spend $100 with an app and beverages...but have also been there and spent $50 after tip on dinner for the two of us...which is amazing for the quality. Lunch there is also great and they usually have at least a few options under $10... You want to go to Blue Apron.
(5)Mel B.
Shrimp and grits outstanding; endive salad even better. Had tuna with the 2012 Tova pino grigo...very good. Service was solidly on their front foot. Can't recommend it enough.
(5)Robert V.
Best restaurant in Roanoke vicinity. Definitely worth checking out. Good drinks and great gourmand food. Can't go wrong if you appreciate fantastic cuisine! If you don't, go somewhere else.
(5)Michael K.
Bad traffic forced us off the highway at dinner time and a quick look on Yelp pointed to this restaurant because of it's good reviews. First impressions are great and carry through the entire dining experience. Service was top-notch. We ordered a couple of small salads to start, followed by the shrimp, the scallops, and the duck dinners. All three meals were just exquisite. The setting is very cozy and serves well for a business meeting, family gathering, or a romantic night out. The people of Salem are lucky to have such a fine establishment in town. Although a bit out of the way for us, we will be back - guaranteed! p.s. This is an extremely affordable choice for the quality and overall experience. In New York, Dallas, London, or Tokyo, a similar experience will set you back at least 3 to 4 times as much.
(5)Todd W.
I'm so pleased to have found this gem on Yelp. In a land that seems chock full of suburban chain restaurants we were decidedly in the mood for a place that doesn't have a corporate headquarters somewheres off-shore. What a treat(!) is this cozy casual yet sophisticated diamond, just 10 minutes from just about anywhere in Roanoke. Here visiting our niece/daughter/grand daughter at Hollins, and having driven 12 hours from MA to get here, Mom, Sis, and I were in for a treat. We sampled a divine Spanish White gazpacho, silky smooth with a taste of lobster, and then a perfect winter meets-spring-salad of endive and artichoke, asparagus and quick picked radish drizzled with a pomegranate vinaigrette that was just right sweet-tart. Did I mention the prosciutto and melon? For Entrees Mom had a beautiful rack of lamb, Sis the succulent shrimp and grits, and I the decadent duck breast. The proteins, prepared beyond reproach, were presented in complete harmony with the rest of the ingredients, each given the respect, care and precision one would expect from a French restaurant. I like my veggies, and here they do too. I don't mean this all to make the food here sound pretentious. There is nothing stuffy here, from the charming location, attentive skilled staff, or talented kitchen. With options for any budget or appetite, Blue Apron is a place where anyone will feel right at home, all the while getting spoilt rotten.
(5)Tricia F.
Authentically modern with brick lined walls ~ old hardwood floors and barn type looking doors. Are you lured in yet? What if I told you, you can order half portion sizes and sometimes even less! IMO more restaurants should offer this option. Seeing "pickled watermelon" in recipes has always intrigued me and I've been wanting to try it. I was so delighted to see a Pickled Watermelon Salad when our waitress handed us the menus. It was delicious!! Pickled watermelon with cucumber, avocado, and water cress dressed in a creamy feta dressing. Even the hubster liked it! I ordered the Pan-roasted Salmon with date and pine nut couscous, zucchini squash heirloom tomatoes and a red wine reduction. While my husband ordered the Wed dinner special ~ beef tenderloin. We both LOVED our meals! With dinners this good no way were we going to pass up dessert!! I ordered the Profiteroles which is local vanilla ice cream drizzled in a chocolate sauce and sweet dark cherries on the side, however I switched the vanilla ice cream out for homemade pistachio. It was fantastic! Peach upside down cake with peace carmel sauce was enjoyed by the hubster. Hands-down, a dinner worth a 5-star rating!
(5)Chris O.
Went here with my mom while being stuck in Salem for almost a week. What a find! This place is so cozy and nice. The foie gras was absolutely amazing, I got the app size. My mom had gazpacho, which was different from what I'm used to but it was really good. My mom had the shrimp and grits half order. Very good. I had the salmon. The potatoes were small and amazing. If you go for dinner make sure to peak around the corner and look at the cutest bar I've ever seen. I actually give this 4.5. We were happy. Pics posted.
(4)M L.
This is definitely the best restaurant in the Roanoke area. After living in NYC for several years I had given up hope on finding a nice restaurant in the area. The fried oysters, shrimp and grits, mussels and rack of lamb were excellent. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was elegant. The prices are fair for the quality of food.
(4)Liz L.
Cozy but sophisticated. As fine as it gets in Salem, VA. Popped in to this place after being referred here by a shop owner just two doors down. And what a treat it was. Nothing has been left to chance at this place - every detail of their presentation is well thought out and quite beautiful. The food was simply delicious. Fresh, bursting with flavor, and just the right portions. Great wine selection and very pleasing dessert menu. To top it off, the service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Perfect balance! If I lived closer by I would be dropping in to dine at this little gem on a regular basis!
(5)Terry V.
Excellent service and food. We had rib eye, scallops, pork, coconut sorbet. Top notch.
(5)Jetleg L.
Our favorite place for the 1st year that we moved here in the Roanoke area from NY. We love their seasonal menu, always something new and fresh and the option that you can always order an appetizer portion or full portion of almost every dish is definitely a plus. It really makes it fun to try out other dishes and not over do it, although we always would order too much. Love their Hudson Valley foie gras. Best foie gras in the valley for sure. Its a must for us every time. We would visit them at least once or twice a month until the foie gras started to show up on our bellies filling in the waistline. It is a fantastic place for a night out with friends or your special one. The atmosphere is great for any occasion. The service could be better but the great food makes up for it. Would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Erin H.
This restaurant is top notch from its ever changing interesting menu selections to ambiance to service! A bit pricey for the area, but well worth it. Try this place for lunch if you're looking for a less expensive option as the have nice priced lunch selections.
(5)Boris C.
Great restaurant to get away from the southern fried crap surrounding this area. Healthy choices with ok beer selection.
(4)Al K.
This is a very fine restaurant. Every meal we have had here has been excellent. Last night my wife and I split the full order of the Froie Gras, which was simply exquisite. I then followed up with the grouper, also delicious. Why the do I not give it five stars? Because it's noisy. It's a small restaurant and the tables are packed close together. The size also limits the number of choices offered on the menu. But a fine restaurant indeed.
(4)Matthew S.
This is the best restaurant in Roanoke Valley and likely in SW Virginia. I am originally from New York City and this place could do very well there. One of its best features is that all of the delicious plates can be ordered as half-portions which increases the amount that you can try. Prices are very reasonable for this quality of food. Fish is fresh, meat is good. They will accomodate picky children with off-the-menu chicken strips and french fries. This is the place to bring your date/boss/parents. Would recommend at least business casual attire, as diners tend to be nicely dressed.
(5)Claire N.
Such a lovely meal! delicious mussels, refreshing salads and expert mixing of flavors!
(5)Dan J.
Each time we dine there we are impressed from the very beginning. the hostess warm smile. our attentive waitress discusses the menu items sharing her zest for both the food and wine ready to assist with your pairings. You feel as if she is doing this Special for you. Salads are exciting mix of flavors and the entrees are always complex and great experience. Great for special occasion
(5)Lori E.
This is the best restaurant in the Roanoke Valley. We went here for my birthday and loved everything we had. The waitress was very attentive but not too attentive. I like trying restaurants specialty mixed drinks and they have some good ones. I liked that we could order half portions and try different items. We had herb roasted salmon, trout, and duck. All were fabulous. The sides the chef puts with each dish complement the fish/duck so well. We also had the baby greens salad which we both liked. This is a restaurant for a special night out, and a place to dress nicely. We will definitely return.
(5)Julie P.
As previous reviewers have stated, the only problem at all with this restaurant is the scheduling. I was also slightly put off when I was informed by the hostess that we had a table following us at 6:30 so that gave us an hour and a half to complete our meal. However, the restaurant is tiny and the waiting area could easily become overcrowded. Truthfully, the restaurant has simply outgrown the space, but it's such a neat spot so I can understand why they would be hesitant to move. That being said, our experience was phenomenal. The service was spectacular and the food was delicious. There were two of us so we opted to split one small arugula salad and three small meals. We were both stuffed when we left. We enjoyed every bite of food. We tried the scallops, salmon and mahi. Yum! I will definitely return again.
(5)Kenny G.
The Blue Apron is fantastic. They opened specially for a family event and delighted my whole family. The restaurant is a beautiful place to have a meal. I had salmon on a bed of vegetables that all melted in my mouth. The chocolate cake was a great way to end the meal. Thank you, Blue Apron, for hosting such a wonderful evening for my family.
(5)Lily F.
love it! always something delicious. have brought out of town guests here and they've always been pleased! will return again and again!
(4)Dan H.
We had a really pleasant evening at the Blue Apron. It's classy, very good food, great service, and in a cozy locale. The menu is one page but there are enough options that you will find something you like (fish, veg, steak, chicken). They also have the option for a large and a small portion. Which is handy if you want to sample a few things or just want something light. We got a frisee salad and corn soup to start. The corn soup was delicious as I'd expect any of their soups to be (they change every so often). My wife got the salmon which she enjoyed and I had the scallops. They were great - perfectly cooked and they came with a hash of sorts composed of brussel sprouts, chantrelles, and bacon. Great for dates!
(5)Jaymi K.
The restaurant itself is adorable. I was so excited to try this place... I ordered scallops and unfortunately because of the bad weather they were out, so I chose to order the duck. Bad move on my part. I had to throw 75% of it out! It was spoiled... Literally green at that. I did have the arugula salad which was to die for, but I was highly disappointed with the main dish.
(2)Keri J.
Love this restaurant. We have gone with groups of 6 and everyone really enjoyed it. Love the choice of small plates. Great wine selections! Desserts are out of this world. Cant go wrong with anything you order. Fine dining!
(5)Brian B.
Randomly chose this spot while driving through Salem. The reviews were great and we were looking for something a little on the nicer side. We were a bit under dressed, as evidenced when the ticked us away at the back of the bar area where no one could see us. We weren't disappointed. The food was amazing. We had the chicken, salmon, scallops, and ribeye (tapas style). The only downside? Those and one cocktail set me back almost $100. Sticker shock to say the least! The food was great, we will just have to be prepared for the price next time around.
(4)Amanda K.
Beyond impressed with the Blue Apron in every category. My family and I joined them to enjoy an overindulgent celebratory graduation dinner a few weeks ago. We ordered nearly the entire menu in small plates and a side of the duck confit fries. Each dish was carefully crafted from the farm to the table. It is clear that each member of the staff, from the host, to the bar tender, wait staff and chefs enjoy what they do and are elated to share their passion with you. My family and I walked in as normal diners and left feeling as if we had enjoyed a dinner party at a dear friend's house. The whole restaurant is warm with love, laughter and stories. I cannot express how thankful I am for this experience, if you're in the area and you don't eat here you've truly passed one of the finest gems in the US.
(5)gary m.
Outstanding! Salad, scallops, crab-cake were beyond compare. Ambience, rapport and setting all lovely. - G
(5)Lisa T.
Thank you Chef Scott and Crew for accommodating us so late last night. The repast made the drive from NYC enroute to Nashville so delectable! Our *hands down* favorite was the honey vinegar basted roasted chicken with wild mushroom risotto & spinach fondue, although my husband and I (both chefs and caterers from NYC) managed to swipe all the plates clean, elbowing each other off the plate in the process. Perfectly seare sweet from the sea scallops, earthy roasted beets and ethereal citrus beurre blanc hit all the high notes and the showering with crispy parsnip curls was just another bonus! Fish and chips never had it so good !! Rounding up our selection was RARE seared tuna, zucchini, tomato fondue, basil, piquillo pepper, roasted garlic aioli & malt vinegar fries. Loved the sauce that the hint of vinegar and spicey piquillos provide. Must not forgot to mention the generous lemon curd with toasted coconut... Classic and perfectly executed with sweet tart silky lemon custard - well OK the fresh whipped cream was a tad too sweet, but we are "in the south" right? and the obviously housemade graham cracker crust that was not too sweet more than made up for it! The food and service at Blue Apron lived up to the hype. We were driving so did not get to enjoy any of the modern cocktails that Red Rooster has to offer. One of our industry friends who has the top catering company in the Blue Ridge Area had highly recommended the food, he and his foodie girlfriend are frequent dinners, so we made it a point to stop, even though we didn't get there until just as the kitchen was closing, the staff was gracious and after checking with the kitchen graciously seated us for one quick course (we ordered 3 small plates and dessert). After dinner when the previous full dining room had cleared out and we had finished our shared dessert and french press coffee, we enjoyed the industry chat with Chef Scott Switzer. We cann't wait to come back!
(5)Carey H.
My wife and I head to Blue Apron every couple months and it is always superb. Great drinks and the butternut squash is outstanding. Never had a bad meal lunch or dinner. Good specials at lunch too.
(5)Candra R.
Wow! This place is phenomenal from the food to the service! A must! I tried 3 drinks: the red rooster, fluerita, and the espresso martini all were amazing. The fluerita was my personal favorite! My boyfriend got the scallops and they were phenomenal. I got the shrimp risotto and it was to die for. The risotto was cooked perfectly and it was delicious! For appetizers I got the watermelon salad which when I got it, it wasn't what I was expecting and I wasn't too fond of it. He got the muscles and said they were great. We had the dark chocolate mousse cake for dessert which was very interesting. It was crunchy and smooth at the same time, very decadent. I would love to go back!
(5)Christie B.
I've been to this place several times. I love that they have small plates so that you can order tapas style. My husband I tend to order 4-5 small or medium plates which is plenty of food. They tend to rotate their menu items around but often carry the same items each time I have went. We regularly order the seared scallop plate which is very good. Additionally we regularly order the white gazpacho when available which is really good. Recently when we went they had a wonderful shrimp and grits dish that was awesome!!! Not only is their food great, but their cocktails are fabulous!! We regularly order the Lavendar Collins, Champagne cocktail, and In Fashion. They also make a wonderful dirty martini!! Highly recommend this restaurant for date nights or birthday dinner parties. Reservations are really a must.
(5)David G.
Excellent food. Good service. Unhurried. Well presented. If we lived here it would become a regular fixture.
(5)Jessica G.
FINALLY! Salem, VA has a restaurant you actually want to eat at! I know it's hard to believe but Salem finally has a restaurant worth boasting about. I recently ate at the Blue Apron with my parents while at home for a visit with friends and family. My parents have been telling me about this place since it opened and being the stubborn person I am I had refused to believe that it was as good as they claimed it was. I'm willing to admit that I was wrong. The Blue Apron is located on Salem's charming downtown Main St. It has a unique atmosphere that is both cozy and upscale. They do not have a lunch menu per se however half portions are available for lunch along with several tasty sounding specials. The specials were not only easy on the eyes but easy on the wallet as well. I decided to get the chicken salad sandwich lunch special. I always feel safe getting chicken salad at a new restaurant because it's pretty hard to mess up. Not all chicken salads are created equal though. This one was served on a delicious crusty multi-grain demi-baguette baked fresh at a local bakery in nearby Roanoke. It even had tomatoes on it that actually tasted like a homegrown summertime tomato. If you're any kind of foodie at all you know how hard it is to get a good tomato during the winter time. This fact alone gave them an A in my book. The sandwich also came with perfectly cooked and seasoned fries and a small salad with what can only be described as one of the best dressings I've ever had the pleasure to eat. The staff was courteous and well dressed and my water glass was never empty. For those looking for a great dinner and a fun night out, the Blue Apron has an adjoining bar called the Red Rooster. What the bar lacks in size it makes up for in character. Everything from the decor to the food to the service was perfect. I'm still not entirely sure that my meal there wasn't a dream.....
(5)Jessica E.
Food was incredible. Staff was very accommodating. They were so sweet... Put a candle in my mom's dessert because they overheard us talking about her birthday. Great place!
(5)Marian K.
Menu includes grass-fed beef, veal, shrimp, scallops, mahi, duck and trout, plus salads that you may add protein for modest cost. Choice of 3 sizes. I ordered a modified lunch special: steak panini w/o onions, fries and dressed greens. Friend ordered arugula and mozz salad with scallops added. After serving an onion laced panini, the waitress observed the error without my raising the issue, and quickly returned with the corrected order. Both Delicious! Atmosphere is upscale, pleasant and quiet, lunches ranged $7-14, and drinks were kept filled. Service is excellent, fast, attentive. Great for a business lunch. On street parking. Small enough to need reservations for dinner. Definitely worth it.
(4)Megan F.
We stopped on our way up to New York, randomly found this place & was pleasantly surprised! Nice atmosphere & everything was incredible! I got the half portion of the Atlantic Salmon and it was great & just enough for one. For dessert I got the Ricotta Cheese Cake that was one of the best I've ever had! Beautiful plating & great flavor! Would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)John H.
Late Mother's Day celebration tonight. We shared salmon, chicken, and fried oysters and each dish just kept getting better! We enjoy fine dining and I'll tell you, The Blue Apron compares favorably to anywhere we've ever been. This charming restaurant is the real deal!
(5)Lisa C.
This is one of my favorite places but it is on the pricey side. All the food is fresh and tasty. I like trying new things and the menu here changes occassionally to keep me coming back.
(5)Kathy L.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants where I have ever eaten. We were driving to Virginia from Nashville during last week's snow storm and stayed the night in Salem. We called while driving inquiring about a reservation and the owner was thinking about closing early due to the bad weather. However, he decided to take our reservation. We were the only customers in the restaurant, and as usual the food and service were excellent. I had sirloin and pork tenderloin and my wife the jumbo shrimp. Scott and his staff are the best...and, of course, the food is delicious!!
(5)Tripp L.
Innovative and delicious food. I had the salmon with grapefruit risotto and grille radicchio. It was fantastic. The atmosphere is very well designed. It is not a big place, so I would recommend reservations.
(5)Lynne P.
We made reservations for a birthday dinner. 5 adults and one 4 year old. Now normally I would not bring a 4 year old (and I tend to frown on people who do) to a nice place like this. I am from L.A. so I do have a clue about restaurants. First we had a 7:45 Reservation, we got to our table at 8:30. Sat in the bar for the whole 45 minutes, and the bar is hardly a bar, smaller than my bathroom at home. Sat there at the table for 15 minutes and got 3 tiny slices of very good bread each. Two tiny and I mean TINY cups with a tablespoon of butter. By the time we got those slivers of bread we each could have eaten a loaf. This places is VERY loud. So no problem with a 4 year old. I loved the up-scale-ness of the place, a real gem to find in our area. The down side is the tables are very close together. Two of our party ordered small plates, each arctic char. Whilst I sat there drooling, it was another 15 minutes until the rest of the tables food came out. So we are pushing 9 pm. by now. I asked for another round of bread in the mean time, got my 3 slivers but only ONE cup of butter. I think we could have had an auction at our table for bread and butter and I would have been the high bidder. I got my "Jumbo" shrimp. $24. I think there was 5 quarter size shrimp, and I asked the waitress if this was a mistake and a half portion, she smiled and said no, this was full portion. 9:15 now. It was DELICIOUS! Truly one of the best things I have had in ages. Wonderful sauce. It has ¼" of sauce in the bottom of the bowl. In fact, when she set it down I could see the bottom of the bowl. I seriously doubt if there was a cup of food in the bowl. More like a nice appetizer. Then my half order friends got their steak. It was amusing watching them try to cut and chew the steak. Both said they wish they would have got more char and no steak. The waitress was very very nice. So was the host (always smiling), and the chef did a great job. Another funny thing was the birthday girl ordered a desert and the waitress took it upon herself to bring 6 spoons. HA! It was another tiny cup of whatever. I doubt if there was 3 spoons worth of it period. I didn't pay the bill, but the 4 year old got fries and fingers, and it looked like enough for an adult to eat, especially after seeing the size of our plates. Oh yeah, my husband had chicken and he wondered how the heck they found such a small chicken! We all laughed and said we would have to stop at McDonalds on the way home.
(2)Sue C.
There is no better place in the Salem or Roanoke Valley to eat! I absolutely LOVE this restaurant. Everyone of our "special" occasions and Holidays are spent eating at the Blue Apron. Scott, the chef, is the kindest person, and takes a personal interest and pays special attention to my Celiac Disease! Everyone that works there is very educated and friendly! I have been too many times to count, and have always had fantastic food, great desserts (Gluten Free) and just a delightful time! I can't wait to go back! Salem is fortunate that Scott calls this place home!
(5)Linsey M.
Yea! Finally a sophisticated restaurant within reach of Blacksburg! The menu, quality of food, and decor are worthy of a big city. Field greens with fresh hearts of palm: Probably the weakest link in our meal. The one or two hits of olive and mango vinaigrette that I tasted were promising, but the salad was sparely and unevenly dressed. I don't like my greens swimming in dressing, but this was like a drought. The hearts of palm were devoid of flavor, and didn't add anything to the salad. Good good cheese and pretty good tomatoes; my expectations for tomatoes in August are high at a restaurant like this. Herb-roasted chicken: My partner's choice. He raved about the couscous, saying it was the best he'd ever tasted. I tried a bite and agreed. It was infused with (chicken?) broth, lemon, garlic, and probably lots of olive oil, and the grapes and smoked almonds offered interesting notes of texture and flavor. West coast halibut: Served on a generous bed of awesome romesco sauce. The butter-braised blue crab was perfect; I wanted more of it. The grilled asparagus and halibut were a touch overdone. Thai basil coconut cake and passion fruit sorbet: Pleasant contrast of a subtly flavored cake and bright passion fruit. Chocolate hazelnut pot de creme: Wow! Deep, dark, rich chocolate topped with chopped hazelnuts and orange confit on top of a dollop of whipped cream. A wonderful combination. Portions were appropriate. The small desserts ($4) were perfectly sized, in my opinion. Enough to allow a complete experience and to top off a meal, but not too much to bowl you over with sugar and calories. Although I pointed out a few quibbles in my descriptions of the dishes above, they were minor, and overall, the meal was excellent, the best by far we've had in southwest Virginia, at least since Townhouse closed.
(5)Rachel P.
Went in for Valentine's Day dinner and Blue Apron did not disappoint. This place is superb and can easily compete with the great restaurants of where we relocated from in Miami. For starters we had the lobster mushroom risotto and the mussels in white wine sauce-both to die for. I then had a baby spinach & romaine Lettuce Salad with roasted garlic dressing, avocado, bacon & tomato, also very fresh and tasty! For our main entrees I had the lightly seared scallops, white wine-braised artichokes, baby carrots, potato puree & charred onion. The scallops were like butter! My husband ordered the sesame-seared bigeye Tuna (both loved it), and eastern shore crabcake (outstanding). Ok, so if your not drooling on your keyboard yet, to wrap it all up, we had the strawberry cheesecake dessert along with the goat cheese cake with fig, honey & pecan chutney with pumpkin purée. What I really love about Blue Apron is that you can order small or large plates, so we stuck with the small size portions in order to sample more of the great cuisine the restaurant has to offer. I feel that is the way to go if you like variety and want to really indulge. All in all, we loved it, and can't wait to return.
(5)Meg S.
My husband and I had dinner at this gem of a restaurant. The service was excellent, the cocktails were refreshing, and the food was simply wonderful. We look forward to future visits just so we can eat here again!
(5)L B.
We went there with friends for New Years Eve and loved it! Thought the small plate prices were pretty reasonable for the quality of the food and loved that you could order them at dinner as well - I mean Braised Moroccan Lamb for $8?? The small plate portions were perfect for me (I usually take food home) and the regular portions I saw looked quite generous. We had fun ordering several small plates to share so we could try more things. Everything we had was delicious!!!! The ribeye (ordered rare - and actually came out cooked as ordered, which I have found to be a rarity, even in the nicest of restaurants!) was melt in my mouth, and the Braised Moroccan Lamb, Veal Meatballs, Lobster Bisque, the House Salad and even the bread and butter (warm crusty bread with fresh, high quality butter - simple perfection!) also received rave reviews at our table. Had the house cocktail, a lavender, lemon, gin concoction that was quite good, as well as a reasonably priced and delicious bottle of wine recommended by the sommelier (off menu). Love the atmosphere too, so cute and everyone was delightfully nice and helpful. Can't wait to go back, I hope they thrive here! :)
(5)Catherine A.
Great quality! You can tell that each dish is prepared with the fresh ingredients. i had the pan-seared tuna and even though the portion for $13 was small, it was worth every penny. Service was average, not terrible but not out of this world.
(4)Neil S.
Sensation! I drove up from North Carolina to Salem on Thursday evening and enjoyed dinner with my Mom. The food, service and decor were all top notch and I mean by any standard not just by Salem's standards! I enjoyed dinner so much that we returned with family the next evening and had another wonderful Friday supper. We enjoyed several red wines as well as an ice-cold prosecco. The fried oysters were the perfect blend of crispy on the outside and soft ocean brininess inside. The duck was cooked perfectly and dessert, chocolate souffle, was the perfect portion and not too sweet. I can't wait to return!!!!
(5)Toby L.
The best kept secret in all of SW Virginia!!! IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN, GET ON IT! During a recent college alumni weekend a group of 10 of us ventured off to Blue Apron for dinner with high expectations. The staff and executive chef & owner, Scott Switzer, exceeded ALL of our expectations. The crab cake appetizer was so delicious that our party ordered 6 of them to share among us (I'm from Annapolis and I live off of crab cakes). Who would of thought I'd find the "best crab cake I've ever had" in Salem, VA? Moving on to the entrees...they were all amazing. The three men in our party all had rib eye steaks that were cooked to perfection (accompanied by potatoes that were out of this world). The women in our party had everything from chicken dishes to scallop dishes to fish dishes and each one absolutely raved about their meal. Our server was very courteous and she never let our drinks get low. Arrival of our entrees was timed perfectly right behind our appetizers. Dining at BA was a very pleasant experience and we will all be making plans to dine there again. There is no restaurant in Salem (or Roanoke for that matter) that compares in both quality of food and atmosphere. Congrats to Mr. Switzer and his staff at Blue Apron...you sir have one heck of a restaurant on your hands! Keep up the great work!
(5)Jacob W.
We had an amazing dinner with friends over the holidays and I can't recommend Blue Apron highly enough. The menu is innovative and brings with it the added benefit that most dishes come in a starter/tapas size as well as a main size. This allows you to enjoy more course or to share dishes between a party and makes for a most enjoyable meal. The wine list is somewhat limited, but includes some lovely selections and is mostly priced at retail (rather than restaurant rates). The bar has a lovely list of specialty martinis and other cocktails. For our drinks, the bartender really nailed it too. The staff is very friendly and, given how recently the restaurant had it's soft opening, very knowledgeable about the menu. Our food was spectacular and we will definitely be dining at Blue Apron again on our next visit to the Roanoke area. As one final contrast, we ate at 202 Market in downtown Roanoke the night before and spent twice as much for a meal that was half as good.
(5)Mel J.
Lovely restaurant and very good food. We had the mussels (VERY GOOD), lobster, and duck (also VERY GOOD). I ordered a half potion of the duck and was satisfied. My boyfriend was equally satisfied with the whole portion of lobster. People in the area seem to be enjoying this place a lot, so I recommend having a reservation.
(4)Duncan W.
Best place by far in Salem. I was in Salem for a trade show and had gotten the recommendation from a friend and was actually very surprised that a restaurant of this caliber was in the area. Although it might be a little pricier than other option in the are the blue apron is well worth it.
(5)F J.
Very disappointing, first impressions are lasting impressions, we were out of town visitors, staying in SW Roanoke (traveled to Salem a second time to dine at Blue Apron recommended by two Main Street shop owners), a discretionary/judgmental decision made by a first/front line employee with a sizable cold sore on the right side of his upper lip....screaming contagious. Will NEVER return and will NOT recommend. Upon arriving at Blue Apron on Saturday, 9/1 evening at around 6:00 pm for dinner, we were immediately approached by a gentleman hostess/greeter, who had a sizable cold sore on his lip, he immediately asked if we had reservations? We answered no, he immediately said "well we are completely booked, but let me check." He turned away and said, "Yes we are booked the entire evening." So, we thanked him and left. We walked away feeling that his demeanor was very arrogant, dismissive and not at all interested in offering any options or possibilities for dining at Blue Apron. Note, we notice three vacant tables, one table for four and two tables for two. Because of his arrogant dismissive attitude we decided to call back to the restaurant fifteen minutes later and inquired about immediate reservation, a gentlemen answered and advised us that he just seated several walk ins and a few later reserved parties. We were stunned!!! Walk ins??? we had just left 10-15 minutes earlier....so why were we not seated as a walk in? Very disappointing.....it appears that your front line employee was judgmental, lacks zero vested interests in accommodating new customers, lacks customer service and on top of that posed a public health risk by handling menu etc. with a visible core sore on his upper right lip. Note, a visible facial sore is a turn off, not a look that is inviting at a restaurant or appetizing. As visitors to Salem, VA our experience was great until marred by Blue Apron. Further, we consider ourselves foodies and travelers; it was quite shocking to experience a restaurant/business that would turn away new customers/business at will. Clearly you have missed the mark for continuous success.
(1)Michael G.
We have been trying to eat here for almost a month, and we found out why it was so hard to get a reservation last night. Food was amazing, service was really good, and the price isn't really that bad when you take the quality of food that was served. We are definitely going to be repeat customers.
(5)David S.
My wife and I ate lunch there Dec 18, 2010 and it was excellent and reasonably priced. I had an organic, grass-fed Angus hamburger (local farm-to-restaurant) with arugula, and seasoned hand-cut french fries for $10. Neat, attractive environment with very friendly servers. One of the best finds in the Roanoke / Salem area for sure.
(5)A S.
We are Los Angeles transplants to the area. We were glad to find this restaurant. Interior is nicely done, staff all very professional. Menu wonderfully creative. Lunch diners could choose the specials written on a board for sandwiches, etc.. but we chose to eat from the main menu to get a sense of the chef's vision. All ordered the French lentil soup with rouille crouton and smoked bacon. Other dishes, Maine lobster with white cheddar, crisp shallots, poached pear, roasted beets; ribeye steak, pommes frittes, sauce, truffled greens; scallops with truffled cauliflower puree, red onion confit, pineapple & grilled raddichio. The flavors of the lentil soup were wonderful and comforting with a subtle bacon flavor enhancing the pentils. Each person adored their entrees. Scallops had just the right sear, lobster was sitting in a fabulous beef infused sauce, and rib eye cooked to perfect with sophistication. The Blue Apron appears to be modern French/American fusion cuisine and done superbly. Desserts were creme brulee and macaroon stuffed cookies with almond milk. All wonderfully done. We traveled 55 miles for this meal and were so glad we did! Compliments to the chef! We can't wait to return again and again.
(5)Brooke F.
Wow I can't believe that this place is in Salem! We were visiting from Colorado and trying to find a great place to take our family and we randomly chose a new spot from the Internet reviews. The service was relaxed and friendly even though we had a party of eleven idiosyncratic family members. The food was outstanding, it tasted extra fresh and the small plate choices made it fun to try a greater variety. I wish I could eat the lemon tart over and over again!
(5)Gwenda K.
First problem, Tel. number.. difficult to find, but finally did, called for reservation during business hours. No answer, so left a detailed reservation request with over 24 hours notice. No returrn call. So decided that it was probably Ok to go ahead and turn up. Wrong, Virtually empty restaurant but, could not fit us in, asked politely speak to Owner, did not appear, but they went ahead and got us a table ready, Our Guests arrived and all was OK. Speciality cocktails not great, however, our dishes. with the exception of dessert, where very good, although a little pricey. Duck confit - Skin should have been much crispier, but good, Chicken entree, two potato starches, only one was necessary. Broccoli puree was a little bland. Arugela salad, very good, plank salmon good . Desserts - Apple Tarts Ok not great. Creme Brulee - good. Our Guests were happy with their meals, so the evening was a success. Major screw up on the checks, involving numerous CC reruns, We will visit again, when they are more settled in. Worth a try.
(3)Karen T.
This is a fantastic destination for small plates, for which I'm a fan. Pal & I went for lunch today, shared a small plate & each had another. We both had food to bring home for another meal. Only disappointment is that my Scallops were gritty & I truly don't know how chefs are to get beyond that without soaking the flavor out of those treasures of the sea with rinsing. Be prepared to spend at least $25 per person for lunch, which means it's going to not be a frequent splurge. Lunch menu was also limited as I was hungry for some items on website which weren't featured. If you plan to go for dinner don't even think about going w/out reservation as the seating space is so limited. I hope Scott can make it w/so few tables for dining.
(4)