Black Lab Bistro

Phoenixville, PA
12/12/07 6:00 PM

Dinner was $110 for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and 2 desserts.

He Said:

"Be stern", I told myself. "No quarter asked or given! Ruthless reviews!", I decided as She and I headed to the Black Lab Bistro, a smaller but finer restaurant in the heart of newly refurbished Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Well, maybe I can be ruthless next review because, frankly, try as I may, I could find no fault in the entire evening.

We got there early, because we're old and that's what old people do, and were seated immediately by a very friendly hostess. The entire staff, all night actually, was superb. Courteous, helpful and not all up in your grill, if you know what I mean. I started my meal off with the Duck Confit Gyoza which was, ohmygod, delicious. Little duck egg rolls in a mango hoisin sauce. Wow! Then for dinner, because anything worth doing is worth over doing, I got the surf and turf. Filet Mignon (rare, please) covered in Bearnaise sauce, a nice sized broiled lobster tail and some assorted vegetables. I took my first bite of the filet and .....

*THUD*

Once revived, I launched into the lobster with drawn butter and ....

*THUD*

I think that the fainting was starting to annoy the staff but they were very kind and hardly mentioned it at all. Everything was cooked to melt in your mouth perfection. The rare steak was actually rare (but not purple), the lobster was firm but tender and ohsosweet. Even the veggies were tender and tasty. The Kentucky Pecan Tart with Bourbon Ice Cream that I had for dessert was very good but the real star of the show was the entree. Absolutely fabulous. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Oh, and did I mention the wine that we brought with? It was an unbelievably good 2003 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon. The waiter popped the cork (with ease, which is always a relief at a BYOB), I took my first sip and, you guessed it,...

*THUD*

____________________________________________________

She Said:

The one in which I am as politically incorrect as I can be. I moaned and gasped through my appetizer - Bella Foie Gras (Sour Cherry Gastrique Sauce, Parsnip Puree, Micro Cilantro) - I do so love me some foie gras! I made yummy noises all the way through my entree - Veal Tenderloin Medallions (Tart Apples, Cippolini , Cider Reduction) served with smokey mashed potatoes, green beans and herbed carrots. And I was reduced to giggles by my dessert - Chevre Panna Cotta, Macerated Gran Marnier Strawberries with Pistachios.

Good lord! There is a reason that this is our favorite restaurant, folks! This was an unbelievable meal. And stop looking at me like that! I know it's not cool to eat foie gras or veal but, damn, I couldn't help myself! (I just hope the strawberries were not an endangered species...)

Oh, and since this place is a BYOB, we brought along an exquisite bottle of 2003 Miner Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville. Tremendous!! (A DEFINITE "1st Bottle of the Night" wine - very expensive for our normal price range - I think we paid $56 for it - but OH.SO.GOOD!)