Table bread is bad, cheap super bleached of all texture and flavor topped with freezes dried Parmesan and margarine. The dipping sauce needs a little salt and cracked pepper. Crab cake is a HARD pass. Overly salted, mushy and watery center. The Tabasco sauce in the breading is overpowering to any hint of the taste of crab that might be there. Calamari is serviceable, of the three apps, it was far and away the best. Entree of beef tips over grits was hearty. Grits were very creamy not necessarily flavorful but a great mouthfeel that complemented the tender beef tip. The best part of the meal was the server. She was was awesome. read more

Wonderful place to have dinner. The mushrooms are a nice starter. The service was great. The owner is a super guy. The whole place is friendly. read more

The food was great! We had pizza and meatloaf, all was very delicious not to mention the bread! Wonderful! The service was great and the ambiance too! read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Meatloaf with sweet potato's fries. - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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This place looks like it could use big management improvement. Waitress only brought us waters and our drinks at first and then disappeared to the back tables and never once asked what we wanted to order in the 45 mins we waited. People that came in after us got their orders before and left before us too!! We came after 2pm and they weren't even super busy but did only have two waitresses.. Very disappointed. Management needs to do better because I could see the only two waitresses were under a lot of pressure. read more

Atmosphere is nice, food is good but rather expensive. I enjoyed Both the pizza and the Crème Brûlée however I did not expect the $16 price for dessert. The service was amazing my server Lauren did a great job! Overall I would recommend for a nice night out if you want to go somewhere nice and spend a little extra. read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Specialty pizza $25 - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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I have visited here a few times and the food is always top notch, but this last time I would say the best dish was the lamb lollipops. Tender, juicy and full of flavor. This will be my to go dish from now on with a salad! read more

Great little spot to eat, found during travel through lake Charles towards Baton Rouge - tasty pizza crusts, really good meat loaf, and seafood pasta! read more

Man, 121 has legit pizza!! In town for an event and decided on 121 for dinner with my wife. Place was packed but we found a table in the bar and received excellent service . We started with some apps, split a ceasar salad and the parmesan shrimp - both were good BUT the pizza was the star.. we both grew up in NJ where you can find good pizza on every corner.. to find a well executed pizza in Lake Charles LA was an outstanding suprise! Crust had excellent chew and perfect thickness. We ordered ours with red marinara, mozzarella cheese, plum tomatoes, kalamata olives and capers. What a great surprise! In town one more day and trying to control my pizza urge to go back to 121 again! read more

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Great selection of Italian food, pizza and seafood. The service is always impeccable. It's a nice place for a group or intimate dinner for two. read more

I ordered a salmon for dinner there. The dish came out with an approximate 5oz salmon on the top of 4 pieces of asparagus. The asparagus didn't look fresh and were too chewy to eat. Both salmon and asparagus were shockingly salty. I guess the chef had accidentally dumped a whole bottle of salt on the salmon and asparagus!!! I had to say they were the worst salmon and asparagus I've ever eaten in my life so far. They charged $30 for the 5oz salmon and 4 pieces asparagus. It was awful!!! read more

Dinner here was fantastic on a Friday evening. We got in easy and found a great spot by the bar. Chill vibe. Quiet. The service and food was phenomenal. The Parmesan crusted shrimp were superb, and pretty much everything else we got as well. Left spending right at about 100 bucks, including two drinks. Worth it. read more

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Great food, service and ambience. The salmon dish is one of my favorites. Also, they have a great wine selection.

This is a great place for people out of town or in LC for business. The service was amazing and the food is delicious. The kitchen being out in the seating area is awesome and sets the atmosphere that fits the restaurant. Prices were fair for what you get. Great date night or business setting! read more

My mom and I were visiting the Lake Charles area and we were desperately searching for a good place to eat after our long drive from Panama City! So we headed over to 121 Artesian Bistro! From the food to the ambiance it was phenomenal! The staff made us feel at home and were extremely welcoming! Our waiter had brought out some fresh bread and oil, the bread came fresh from the oven and the oil was savory which paired perfectly with the bread. It was so fluffy and the crust was on the softer side too! I had gotten the Mona Lisa pasta which was so light and absolutely delicious! My mom had gotten the Tuscan Chop salad which looked amazing just from the presentation! Even the plating techniques were so intricate! We also learned about how they make everything in house which is so rare and how they source almost everything from Pasta Lab which is local to the area! They also had an open kitchen which made it seem like you're not just dining in, but apart of the overall experience! read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Mona Lisa Pasta - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Rudest place I have ever been too!!!!!! The owner is a complete jerk! I will never come to this establishment ever again. We had one meal that didn't taste great and he absolutely would not take the one meal off because he said it is what it is. He also lied and said that we were rude to his staff and we absolutely were not. We are all nice professional people and I have never been treated this way even at a restaurant and I have been in the industry for over 30 years. I am disgusted and honestly my feelings are very hurt. read more

Food is incredible! We had flash fried oysters and grits and beef tips. Oysters are the best in LC and the stone ground grits are without a doubt the best I've had! Atmosphere isalso what makes this place a must go to! Quaint, beautiful, romantic!!!! Do yourself a favor and try 121 Bistro!!! read more

Get the beef tips grits, shrimp and corn chowder, and save room for bread pudding! They are soooo good Beef tips grits: 10/10. It's like a very flavorful and soft beef stew with creamy grits. Best in class. Order this now! Shrimp and corn chowder: 10/10. The chowder is very flavorful. Some cajun influence but not too spicy. Has a good amount of shrimp and corn. Pairs really well with their complimentary Bread. You have to try this. Bread Pudding: 9/10. This is baked extra in the oven when you order and it comes piping hot so be careful eating. It has a nice crispy crust and soft inside. Save room for this! Pizza: 6/10. The Normal Crust's flavor and texture just ok. You make your own pizza which is nice. I like that they offer a cauliflower crust. I'd probably try everything else in the menu first before getting this. You might find more gems Servings are huge. You'll have plenty for leftovers Service was very friendly and attentive as well Ambience is nice. Great date night spot read more

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What a great place to dine. Very impressed with the food and the service was top notch. Went with the brick oven pizza and couldn't ask for better food. We had the opportunity to see lots of meals come out of the open kitchen, and all the food looked great. Would eat hear again if in the area! read more

The food here is so amazing! Almost everything was perfect! But that's not why this place is 5 stars--the service made this place a 10/10! Our server Kelseigh was so thoughtful and kind. She made our first time at this restaurant very enjoyable and memorable. And the ambiance of the restaurant was super fun too. The music was good (they were rocking the 80s-90s) and the decor has much character while also remaining classic and modern. If you're in the mode for American cuisine, this is the place for you! Plenty of room for big parties and there is something here for everyone! read more

What an amazing find for us out-of-state Texans! We had a show to go see last night in Lake Charles, so we searched for a place close to where we were going. It was a phenomenal meal with great service. Christian was our server, and his suggestions were spot-on. The lasagna, tenderloin, shrimp and corn bisque, and potatoes with Asiago cheese and pancetta were all so very good. Of course we had dessert, which was a yummy cheesecake that topped off the meal perfectly. I'm already trying to figure out when I can go back! read more

Started off with a blueberry lemon drop martini which was fabulous. I look forward to trying their happy hour and more cocktails they offer! Parmesan Crusted Shrimp is definitely something to try. Given it's a pound and fried, it's filling and meant to be shared. I love the accompanying sauce. The Caprese salad was really good! Only down side is that the capers were unnecessary. We like capers, but felt like it didn't fit with this salad. Shrimp and corn bisque was alright. There was nothing special about it that makes me want it again. The Mona Lisa and Aldovina was very delicious! It's overpriced for what they were, but Lake Charles doesn't have a restaurant that can make delicious standard pasta dishes so 121 is your only option in terms of pasta. They use fresh pasta from a local pasta maker as well. I would suggest the Mona Lisa if you have more of a simple palate. Many of my friends say it's their favorite. I enjoyed it, but it was disappointting to find crab shell bits in the pasta as pictured. The Aldovina is more hearty and rich. If you're looking for a red sauce, this is the choice! Loved the flavor and would definitely get again. The white chocolate bread pudding was so good! It was my first time having bread pudding, and I can't wait to have it again! The Tiramisu is your standard tiramisu. I love tiramisu, but unfortunately it was a little frosty inside when we got it. It tasted great when we got home and it thawed out. Service was prompt. We had to flag our waiter down a few times since they were busy, but he arrived quickly every time. There was some minor meal issues, but I'm hoping it was just an off day. Looking forward to trying again! read more

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Bar service was terrible. Bartender was rude and announced it would be a long time before she could serve us. She wasn't kidding! Gave up after standing there for 15 minutes. Then told us we would be seated soon. Turned out it would be 30 minutes more because they '"messed up with a reservation" Very disappointing read more

Great food and service Love location and ambience Wish I lived in LC!! Would be there ALOT!!

Was really disappointed after reading all the great reviews. Two steaks order medium rare and one came out blue and the other was so salty it wasn't ready edible. Make sPasta and meatloaf were great. Appetizers were average. They did comp one steak from the ticket. read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

The Martini...Strawberry/Lemongrass was amazing. I was torn between the Salmon and the Short Ribs, our waitress, who was wonderful suggested the Salmon. I was happy as it was my 1st choice. Happier once I took my 1st bite. Truly, as a former Restauranteur, the best I've ever had. Everything from the bread , Calamari. , my friend's Lasagna dish, the Drinks all were delicious. read more

Haven't been here in a while and wow nothing has changed! it's the same ole perfect experience we always expect. The burger is divine, the drinks are sublime and the vibe is on target. read more

Had the piziza. It was delicious but a little disappointed with the lack of cheese. For the cost it should have had more. read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Pizza with pepperoni, pancetta bacon, and pesto. - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Wonderful Lamb! Staff are willing to help, and the ambiance is perfect for date night!

121 Artisan Bistro always has great food and drinks. Although I've been many times, today was the first time to try their pizza. It was really amazing. The crust was perfection. We barely touched the wonderful Diavalo pasta, the pizza was so good. Service (Lexie) was great too! read more

Lamb Lollies were amazing in flavor! I got them as an entree with a side of potatoes and it was all 10/10 read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Lamb Lollipops - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

I have eaten here many times. The vibe was quiet and upscale. The dress code is cocktail attire. Wow, great fine dining restaurant for a couple date night or business date. The signature cocktails, full bar, and wine list were great pairs with many entrées. read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

Came to eat for lunch during the week with some coworkers. I had wanted to eat here for awhile and finally made it after two years. I specifically wanted to try their smoked bacon and cheddar burger since it looked very appetizing on yelp. Food: When I received my burger, I was underwhelmed by the appearance. It did not reflect their advertisement of the same burger. What I noticed first was the disproportioned beef patty to bun. The patty was smaller than the bun which is not ideal. The onion rings were missing half the batter and the bun wasn't even the same bun advertised, I.e sesame seed. The bun was a bit stale and wasn't even toasted. It simply felt like it was purchased from a grocery store a week prior. The cheese was mediocre in flavor and the chipotle bbq sauce and mayo was almost not existent. I had to ask for more mayo because there hardly any sauce on it. The bacon was good but nothing memorable. All phases of the burger except the bacon were disappointing. The French fries were good though. They were thin and had a nice crisp to them. My coworkers both had the Tuesday special: calzone. They said it was "ehhhh" and "okay". Staff: Our waiter was nice but wasn't attentive. Never did she provide refills. I actually got up myself and refilled our drinks with water they had posted in the middle of the dining area. Conclusion: Well after all these years, I guess I wasn't missing anything, but that seems to be the case at most restaurants in lake charles. The smoked bacon and cheddar burger really looks good in their advertisement however it doesn't reflect reality. Really disappointed and don't recommend the burger. read more

121 Artisan Bistro - Advertised smoked bacon and cheddar burger - Italian Near Me - Lake Charles, Louisiana

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Such a cute bistro. Great service. I really enjoyed the food. The pasta is great with crab chunks added. The meatloaf is also delicious. read more

I love this place. The food and drinks are good, and they work hard to make you feel welcome. And it is not too pricey. They offer everything from great meatloaf, excellent Pizza, great pasta, and shrimp stuffed mushrooms. I love the Margaritas !! read more

What a disappointment. Stuffed mushrooms mainly breadcrumbs with only a touch of shrimp, spinach and cheese. Have a gluten issue and couldn't enjoy. Cob salad too many greens with only a small slice of avocado. Upcharge after the fact for use of credit card: $2.25. Had cash but not told of up charge until rung up on visa. A lot of bread crumbs and lettuce greens for $58 plus tip. read more

My first trip to this handsome establishment was very enjoyable.. From the well poured old fashioned's to the warm crusty bread, my visit was very pleasing. I had the pistachio crusted salmon with a side of Asiago and pancetta au gratin potatoes. The salmon was cooked to a perfect medium while achieving a most delectable crispy salty pistachio crust. The potatoes were a creamy, steamy delight with chunks of pancetta throughout! The wine list could use some work, prices were quite high for the few decent selections and there were very few decent selections. Frank family Zin is $40/bottle and the Chardonnay is $35/bottle at wine shops in the area, that is all that needs to be said of that. Overall my visit was enjoyable and I'll be back to see what other menu items they can deliver on. read more

Excellent food, decent portions, wait staff very knowledgeable, and a lovers atmosphere! A hidden jewel in Lake Charles. Five Stars just for entering! read more

My boyfriend and I went here a few months ago, I like the ambiance and the location.... But food didn't taste right and ended up feeling sick.... Took the food to go and ended up throwing it out cause I got really sick from the food.... Wouldn't call it food poisoning but it wasn't a good ending for my night read more

Got the 411 on this place from a customer in Lake Charles and it did not disappoint! Low lighting and comfortable atmosphere as soon as you walk in the door with very friendly staff. Comfortable bar with gracious bartender and Parmesan Bread to start I had the Shrimp and Crawfish Diavolo which was the best meal I have had out in months. Do yourself a favor and stop by if you are hungry and want a fantastic meal. I will make this a regular stop every time I come to Louisiana. Roger read more

Yes. Um, this place really rocks. You're gonna pay for the privilege but it's good. Even the dang meatloaf is good. Weird.