tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post4640544295842109514..comments2024-03-18T08:08:46.263-04:00Comments on HowChow: What Could Have Been At Bistro BlancHowChowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14214893123333124514noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-29905201630251837722013-03-20T20:40:44.975-04:002013-03-20T20:40:44.975-04:00The food is great, inventive and the menu is well ...The food is great, inventive and the menu is well thought out. The kitchen does a great job. I love going there. <br />BUT the service is weak to poor to indifferent. Sometimes the staff forgets to mention the specials, which is annoying for both the kitchen and the guest. At times you feel ignored and we order at east 3 courses and wine or drinks. <br /><br />It's also loud and the tables Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-35602343652703303532012-12-27T08:00:13.125-05:002012-12-27T08:00:13.125-05:00We ate there this past week and it was one of the ...We ate there this past week and it was one of the best meals ever! The oysters were divine, & the portobello & parsnip soup was luscious. I'm very surprised to see these reviewsteamdewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17535806974043029605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-82418640799676818082012-12-26T05:45:48.496-05:002012-12-26T05:45:48.496-05:00I don't know why the restaurant failed HowChow...I don't know why the restaurant failed HowChow, but I am sure that the failure was an exception. There are 144 reviews on OpenTable that average out at 4.2 on a scale of 5.0. That makes Bistro Blanc one of the highest rated restaurants in the entire Baltimore area. I look at many reviews before I decide whether to go to a restaurant, and HowChow's is definitely in the minority.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-48276840143015746172012-12-23T13:03:04.448-05:002012-12-23T13:03:04.448-05:00Your experience very closely mirrors ours at Bistr...Your experience very closely mirrors ours at Bistro Blanc. The service was so terrible, and the food took so long to arrive, that we had actually gotten up to leave. None of the wait staff offered to explain anything about their beers or wines and everyone, incl. the manager (owner?) was unpleasant. We will never return there. Lynn Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18156455203329979289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-71376388279508193262012-12-23T10:17:23.962-05:002012-12-23T10:17:23.962-05:00There is a great 1/2 price burger nite on Mondays ...There is a great 1/2 price burger nite on Mondays within walking distance at the Glenelg Tavern.WoWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18094015880168254269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-23578940786802517742012-12-23T10:15:46.116-05:002012-12-23T10:15:46.116-05:00I have had the same experiences and stopped going....I have had the same experiences and stopped going...stepping up service and food would go a long way to improving this poor immatation of the Iron BridgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-77647293267017527362012-12-22T16:10:44.672-05:002012-12-22T16:10:44.672-05:00I had submitted this to OpenTable over a year ago,...I had submitted this to OpenTable over a year ago, but it was denied because it mentioned raw duck. In general, I think Bistro Blanc as fallen downhill...<br /><br />The review that was redacted from OpenTable:<br />I'm hoping it was just an off night at Bistro Blanc -- I've dined<br />there previously and enjoyed nice food and wine with only small parts<br />detracting from overall Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-23408259282455448902012-12-21T07:08:56.318-05:002012-12-21T07:08:56.318-05:00@Annie -- How do you know when Marc is cooking? I...@Annie -- How do you know when Marc is cooking? I didn't expect a star chef for the burger special. But I be sure if I went back.HowChowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14214893123333124514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-38996884576211658382012-12-20T17:56:05.424-05:002012-12-20T17:56:05.424-05:00I've been to Bistro Blanc several times, altho...I've been to Bistro Blanc several times, although not for a while, and I've always liked it. Not quite as good as Woodberry, but much closer to my house. But I've definitely heard a few stories like this suggesting they have some off nights. I'll have to give them a try again soon and see what the service is like now.Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-45706241340615582932012-12-20T14:53:25.970-05:002012-12-20T14:53:25.970-05:00We always sit in the bar these days. The food is e...We always sit in the bar these days. The food is exceptional, if you have Marc cooking. I don't know why they decided to do a half price burger night. It isn't something we expect there. Usually, half price food nights stress the staff and the chef. I might have to give the owner my thoughts on why I think they are a bad idea.<br /><br />I remember years ago, JK telling us he eliminated Annie Riehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319546200252971593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-39319934523620843282012-12-20T13:53:01.163-05:002012-12-20T13:53:01.163-05:00Thanks everyone. I have heard great things about B...Thanks everyone. I have heard great things about Bistro Blanc. Our first meal there was terrific. Our returns have not been succeesses, but Trip Klaus, Annie, Penny and the others are real voices with good lessons.<br /><br />@Annie -- I didn't see the owner who I have met before. Honestly, I didn't see anyone except waiters and the receptionist. They were all embarrassed, but there HowChowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14214893123333124514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-55080838470461612922012-12-20T13:35:31.913-05:002012-12-20T13:35:31.913-05:00I know people love this place but we were not impr...I know people love this place but we were not impressed. Not at all. We went once and won't be going back. I was tempted to give them a second chance when we got that 1/2 price burger email, because people rave about their burgers. Glad I decided against it.Marcianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-44685023552218225582012-12-20T12:58:26.012-05:002012-12-20T12:58:26.012-05:00I recently moved within a few miles of Bistro Blan...I recently moved within a few miles of Bistro Blanc, and my husband and I enjoy upscale dining, so I was thrilled there was a choice nearby. However, we have gone three times (2x more than i might have elsewhere) hoping each time was a fluke. Extremely slow service especially when you are getting that first drink. You can endure a lot if you just have some wine! Food was overall fine but not georginanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-81038996754732967722012-12-20T12:19:45.125-05:002012-12-20T12:19:45.125-05:00Interesting. It sounds like they didn't put on...Interesting. It sounds like they didn't put on enough staff.<br /><br />We eat there two or three times a month. It isn't a restaurant where dinner is made quickly. Nor, where we go for a basic meal. When we do want to eat quickly, we sit at the bar, and just get flatbread and maybe gnocchi or risotto. Marc is an outstanding chef. It is hard to keep staff out here, I have heard. The Annie Riehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319546200252971593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-39911580815417065432012-12-20T10:54:25.593-05:002012-12-20T10:54:25.593-05:00I have been watching a lot of old episodes of Gord...I have been watching a lot of old episodes of Gordan Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. It is interesting to hear somebody having an experience just like you see on that show. Helps to prove it isn't all editing of film that shows an evening falling apart like that.Philosoraptorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11505298415501577747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-81460446806015533462012-12-20T09:57:06.258-05:002012-12-20T09:57:06.258-05:00I eat at Bistro Blanc occasionally, and by and lar...I eat at Bistro Blanc occasionally, and by and large have had very few complaints. There was one incident where a server was poorly trained and said some kind of shockingly odd things, but the management apologized and the next time we went back the service was again excellent.<br /><br />The food is almost always top-notch -- not earth shattering, like Volt, but equivalent to Woodberry Kitchen Pennynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-66891934028832290632012-12-20T09:30:33.635-05:002012-12-20T09:30:33.635-05:00I was there last night as well (didn't see you...I was there last night as well (didn't see you or I would have said hello) and had a similar experience. I eat at Bistro Blanc quite often and usually the pace is much better. While I didn't choose the burger last night my gnocchi was wonderful (if slow to be delivered). They seemed more busy than usual and frankly I think that they have a problem when they are that busy. They seem Trip Klausnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-49343502918120794332012-12-20T09:07:53.760-05:002012-12-20T09:07:53.760-05:00Bummed to hear about your experience. The one time...Bummed to hear about your experience. The one time we ate there, on my birthday in 2011 we had a great meal and a nice time. Hope they fix whatever is going wrong.nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08740315488300792868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-75972204807959239132012-12-20T08:51:54.088-05:002012-12-20T08:51:54.088-05:00I have been to Bistro Blanc twice. We were disapp...I have been to Bistro Blanc twice. We were disappointed both times with both the food and the service. Unfortunately, when we want something special, we head to Baltimore to Woodberry Kitchen or Cinghiale. It's too bad we don't have better options out here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-90837807997724186442012-12-20T08:00:54.518-05:002012-12-20T08:00:54.518-05:00I was there once evening & ordered the burger...I was there once evening & ordered the burger after a very long wait at the door & then to be served. When the food finally arrived, my burger was so over salted I couldn't eat it. The waiter whisked it away quickly and then returned with nothing. No replacement. Nothing...I went home & ate.<br /><br />It's a shame...the food can be very good but consistency is not their RHfoodienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-47984300263835805582012-12-20T07:44:22.022-05:002012-12-20T07:44:22.022-05:00Enjoyed the food when I've been there. But whi...Enjoyed the food when I've been there. But while the servers have always been enthusiastic, they've not always been informed. I once wanted to try wine from their automated machines, but none of the servers could explain how it worked, and the manager never stepped up to explain.zevonistanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-5381868569457866182012-12-20T07:44:21.329-05:002012-12-20T07:44:21.329-05:00Thanks for sharing your disappointing experience. ...Thanks for sharing your disappointing experience. I appreciate that you are usually trying to be kind, but I strongly feel that honesty is the most important factor in a review. We all respect your opinions and count on them to be accurate and true. BTW, had an amazing meal at Mutiny Pirate Bar and Island Grille recently (in Glen Burnie, so a short drive from HoCo) and I think you'd really Balancing Acthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04922201967548801671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6242128247197293599.post-72593100857252018272012-12-20T07:29:44.202-05:002012-12-20T07:29:44.202-05:00Thanks much for this review. I know it's not ...Thanks much for this review. I know it's not easy to call out the less-than-stellar experiences, especially at a place that has been highly rated, but it is important for the readers. It ain't cheap, in terms of dollars and precious free time these days, to take your loved ones out. I certainly don't want to spend either and get frustration in return.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14803527987184145933noreply@blogger.com