Black Lab Bistro: Table on the Road-er- Outside Please!

After Buddy picked me up from the train last Friday, we headed down to our parents neighborhood to grab some food in Phoenixville. It was already 9:30pm and I had not eaten since 11am. I. Was. Starving.

When we got there, it was still pretty poppin! Since it was such a nice night, we wanted to sit outside.  This is the table they gave us. Practically on the road. Well I do love the smell of exhaust when I try to eat. Fantastic. Buddy looks like he is passing gas, or smelling it. Either way, gas was involved somehow.

Complimentary Bread

Yum, my favorite buttery rosemary herb spread. The bread is forgettable, but the butter is very tasty, especially for how hungry we both were!

Price: Free

Lobster Mac and Cheese

I normally dont order appetizers, but I felt like I had been on a fast for the past week so I picked the most luxorious sounding thing on the appetizer menu. This was in a small tart dish and disappeared as quickly as it arrived. The menu says there is truffle oil in here. but I didn't really taste any. But who really gives a shit about truffles anyway? They are overrated.

Anyway, the mac and cheese was super duper, uber velvety to little chunks of loster meal hidden in every nook and cranny. The pasta was cooked a little over al dente, but thats okay, it just added more to the creaminess. The generous topping of panko crumbs was nice, but ended up being a bit soggy.

Price: $12.00

Colossal Lump Crab Cakes

Buddy ordered this dish. These are the best crabcakes. EVER. No seriously, they are fucking amazing. Chunks of crab, not that mushy pulverized crap. With the nice sear of the pan  to add crunch and the tangy, tart tartar sauce, this is a solid meal. And look, it even looks like a face, how cute!

Price: $26.00

Pan Seared Red Snapper

This was on their specials menu for the night. It was topped with lobster chili sauce and came with coconut rice and edamame. Super creamy sweet rice paired with buttery fish. An interesting combination in my mouth. Maybe not the most successful thing they had ever put out but satisfying none the less.

Price $26.00

Black Lab Bistro

248 Bridge Street

 Phoenixville, PA‎ 19460

www.blacklabbistro.net

Black Lab Bistro: Dinner with the BF in Phoenixville

Oh good old Limerick, the melting pot of all chain restaurants and strip malls. Sure, I can't say that I loathe Applebee's 2 for 20 dollar special, but when the BF is paying, I take advantage and decide to try something new. Phoenixville had gone through many, many, many improvements over the last couple of years, and is steadily starting to look like a mini Manyunk. One night in the winter, my friends dragged me out to PJ Ryans on Bridge St. After a couple hours of awkwardly talking to old high school class mates who still live with their parents, we decide to leave. But something catches my eye- across the street is a nice red framed restaurant with Olden Day letters. "Black Lab Bistro". hmm....

Garlic Rosemary Butter with Sesame Bread

Taste: Nice salted butter, the aroma of garlic and rosemary was there rather than the taste.

Texture: The bread was chewy and airy. Nothing to wet yourself over.

Smell: Like rosemary and garlic.. duh!

Price: Free :D

Black Angus Burger with Truffle Oil Fries

Taste: He had ordered it rare, but to his disappointment, it came out well done. After a bite, I decide that it was still very much flavorful and surprisingly still kind of juicy without making the brioche roll soggy. The flavor of the tomato, burger, and buttered brioche danced together gracefully in my mouth. It also had gruyere cheese, which I didn't really taste at all. The truffle fries perfectly salted and the taste of the truffle was just enough without becoming overbearing.

Texture: Nice toasted roll, slightly chewy burger, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, unnoticeable cheese. It's like a perfect outfit and you accidently put on an extra pair of panties.

Smell: Backyard grilling and good red wine

Price: $15.00

Mussels in Tomato Vodka Sauce with Penne Pasta

Taste: PERFECTLY stewed sauce. The chunks of tomato melted in my mouth. Not too much garlic, but enough to add to the texture of the sauce. Loved to topping of parmesan cheese which salted my penne just right. The mussels however, weren't that big :(. Oh well it might be the ending of the season?

Texture: Pasta was cooked al-dente, and remained hardy even in the heat of the broth. The mussels weren't over steamed and fell off of their shell without much struggle

Smell: Tomato soup and Seafood

Price: $18.00

Tiramisu with Honey

Taste: Creamy, airy taste of Cognac, then a sudden sharp sweetness that came from the honey. (What is it about that piece of mint on desserts that makes you feel like you have to eat it so neatly?!). Could have done without the layer of chocolate sauce, I felt it cheapened the dessert. If it had to have chocolate, it should have been dark bitter chocolate.

Texture: Airy, spongy, angel food cake-y with a dark past...

Smell: Honey and Mint

Price: Free :D ( The waiter felt bad for BF's over cooked meat, so this treat was on the house)

Verdict: Coming back for more! Bring a nice bottle of wine, friends, lovers, family, and enjoy this gem in Phoenixville. The service was fantastic, the ambience was cozy, and the food was memorable.

Black Lab Bistro

248 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA‎

(610) 935-5988‎

www.blacklabbistro.net/