Reviews for Bistro 197 in Oswego, NY
I love the atmosphere this restaurant provides. It has a small town cozy feel combined with a refined dining experience vibe.... The decor is tasteful and appealing and the staff were attentive and overly accommodating. Although the menu is limited myparty of 4 were all able find a variety of food items to select from. Each dish appears to have been cared for. The salads weredressed perfectly and the cauliflower appetizer was not over or under sauced. Our waitress made great suggestions and answeredall of our questions and ensured our modifications were met. When daughter asked for pickles she obtained them from their sisterrestaurant. The food was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. It is clear they care about what they are doing and what thepresent. We had appetizers, entres, & desert. All were great. Even the coffee is serves in individual French press for a freshcup. Easily worth the money as items are not over priced. We are excited to go back next time we're in town. Read more
Best short rib I have had in a long time! Although they were very busy the evening I went, the bartender, Summer, kept me... informed about any food updates and checked up on me from time to time. I was very impressed in how well she ran a busy bar andalso catering to peoples food orders! Definitely a gem at this establishment. Oh and do try the blueberry butter?a perfectblend of sweet and salty which I have never tried before! Read more
We started off at another restaurant at the request of some friends and aside from it being extremely busy with parties we were... told their internet was down and no cards would be accepted. We went to Bistro 197 and we were immediately seated in the cooland relaxing atmosphere. Our waitress was very attentive, our drinks and food outstanding. Live music was being offered and itmade it just added to an already pleasing venue. I have never been disappointed here. Read more
Absolutely amazing!! Food and service were outstanding. Mussels, black shrimp, and bacon balls were so delicious to start.... Gnocchi were creamy and the red sauce so flavorful. The sirloin was cooked perfectly. The short rib was fork tender and meltedin your mouth. Peanut butter creme brulee was amazing and a first. The peach crisp and vanilla bean ice cream were a great wayto end the meal. Drinks are very well crafted. I had the butter beer for my dessert. Amazing!! Read more
I have been hesitant to try this place because I am not a mushroom fan, and for a while it seemed like many of their dishes... featured mushrooms. I hit a good time with in-season food that I knew I'd like and took the plunge. The food was amazing. Mymom, who is a bit hard to please, said the burger she had was the best she had ever had. My mac and cheese was fabulous. And thedrinks! They were incredible. The service was also really friendly and welcoming. Will keep an eye on that rotating menu oftheirs and visit again! Read more
Bistro 197 has two very different personalities regarding its interior design elements. The left side is bright & more... traditionally bistro feeling being very open, the right side is warmer, intimate & more upscale bar feeling, with two TV?splaying a mix of sports-ball & pro-wrestling. The staff is friendly. Our server did spill my wife?s serrano & peach peppermartini on my wife & forgot to take my dinner order & my friend?s dinner order & returned later with an apology to take them.Expect a fresh, playful, & tasty craft cocktail program with fresh garnishes & delicious ingredients. There are New & Old Worldwines for many meals & occasions, including some local CNY wines. The beer & cider list is varied & leans toward regional NewEngland craft beer selections on draught & in cans & bottles. Swill beers are also available for troglodytes dining out tryingto ?keep it real?. The menus are wittily designed for the astute eye with puns & themes here & there. The oysters are fresh &shucked clean on the half shell, & are accompanied by a bright & lovely mignonette. The beef short rib & gnocchis was comforting& post food coma inducing. I like my short rib with more fat between the muscle fibers, this was a bit over cooked & leaningtoward dry, but quite tasty, especially the balsamic BBQ sauce it was served with. The crispy spring rolls with a spare amountof duck, ample cream cheese, & fruity hoisin sauce was comforting & tasty, & large enough to share between two people. Thecadence of service is leisurely & occasionally absent for extended periods, yielding way for ample engaging conversation time.As long as you know this & take action to speak up & order more drinks, then you will thoroughly enjoy yourselves. The livemusic was free but worth paying for. We tipped the band via the convenient QR code on the table. I will definitely return toexplore more of the menu, including the handful of mussels dishes & more oysters. This is likely the best restaurant for i Read more
Brunch is phenomenal! They rotate through the menu, but highly recommend starting with the mimosa flight. Ask for Emily as a... waitress.... so attentive and just a lovely person. Live music often adds a nice ambiance. Highly recommend and will plan oncoming back! Read more
Wonderful place, great staff, great food a must on your visit to oswego