We chose Bistro 197 to celebrate my husband's birthday. The mushroom parmigiana was a magnificent surprise. The beer battered fish yummy, NOT greasy and the batter did not suffocate the fish like many do. Unfortunately they ran out of French fries the side with the fish ( they hand cut them) we were disappointed but settled on the mashed potatoes. Let me just say I'll order the mashed potatoes all night long. They were fantastic!!! The service (Chrissy) was attentive and very accommodating without a hint of frustration. The atmosphere was so nice. While the place was busy we felt like we were having a private party. We will absolutely come again. Thank 197 read more

We drove up to Oswego NY to meet friends that were sailing around the eastern United States. They started in Chicago IL sailing south (parts of the Mississippi), across the Gulf of America, through Florida, north to NY (Hudson River) and now across the Erie Canal. They are about 6 weeks from home. They have been at it for 334 days. God Bless them! Anyway, we ate at this little restaurant in Downtown Oswego. What a find. Excellent service, excellent food, nice atmosphere. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. I had the catfish sandwich, but I also had 1/2 of my wife's Croque Madame. That was awesome! Obviously we won't be returning, but if you live here (or close), you should go. read more

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This was picked based on reviews. We were seated promptly and given menus in a timely fashion. Water was delivered and drinks ordered. We sat and sat and sat for at least 10-15 minutes waiting to give an order. After the drinks were served we asked for the bread. That took another 10-15 minutes and sure enough, it came out the same time as our food. I got a Nashville Hot chicken sandwich. This should be called a Nashville NOT. Barely had heat and lacked flavor. The only thing that came fast was the check. It was funny how talkative and genuine the waitress was AFTER we paid and she got her tip. The place was somewhat quiet with decent lighting but all the odd patrons just gave me bad vibes. Maybe if there was more help there, it could have been slightly better to experience. read more

A very classy, clean -modern place with excellent service -who look impeccable each time. Interesting cocktail options, & cool tap beer- menu is truly unique a Delish. I just adore non chain restaurants. *an old school friend, more my sis~W/O bias PROMISE!!!! read more

Restaurant is rustic and beautiful. Our service was excellent. The food was amazing. We did not get appetizers bc we really wanted to enjoy our entree. My husband had the steak frites. Was cooked perfect. He really liked it. I had the pork Milanese and it was so delicious. We can't wait to come back to. Oswego to visit this restaurant again. read more

Bistro 197 - Steak frites delicious medium rare - French Near Me - Oswego, New York

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Excellent food. Love the eclectic condiments tonight was blueberry, blackberry butter for the bread, and a curry butter for the steak. Make sure you make reservations if it's on a Saturday night! We saw several people get turned away. Wonderful jazz ensemble started at 6 PM. Excellent ambience. read more

Bistro 197 - Menu - French Near Me - Oswego, New York

My wife and I stopped in for dinner while visiting the town, the space was quiet with a upscale look. The bartender, Genevieve, hands down has the best customer service and vibe. She recommended some drinks and guided us through what's the best on the menu. We had a couple of drinks while we waited for our food to take out. Drinks were absolutely amazing. Cajun blue catfish was lacking the Cajun seasoning, but it was cooked well. The rice & beans in the dish had missed the flavor. The Short rib dish had an amazing glaze, but wasn't marinated, but it was cooked well. The pasta had a hint of truffle, but also lacked flavor as the meat. read more

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The atmosphere is a laidback classy feel which I enjoy. It means that you can dress up as you would normally without having to go through the extra bells and whistles. However, the food here always gives up an upscale style and taste that has not disappointed. The menu is known to change regularly which was surprising at first because I wanted to try something I enjoyed eating previously. But my shock was quickly replaced with awe after eating the beef short rib over gnocchi. The meat was so tender that I was able to slice through without a knife or a hint of difficulty. While dining inside we were also able to listen to a few performances by a local artist which was a pleasant change of pace from normal dinner talk. The music was something that was agreeable for everyone and it set the mood for the audience. I'm looking forward to what I'll be able to try on the menu next time! read more

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I always have had great meals here and look forward to my visits home to my parents, as we usually dine here at least once. The special Friday night was a beer battered fish (I cannot recall if it was cod or haddock) and I asked our server about the batter, as I've never had a beer battered fish anywhere that wasn't overly battered and the fish dry. She reassured me that it was lightly battered, so I decided to give it a try. It was hands down the BEST beer batter one could hope for. It was light, crispy, and the fish was moist and tender. Two of my dining companions agreed, as they'd ordered the same. We'd also ordered some raw oysters as our starter and they were equally delicious. A truly excellent meal in a cozy atmosphere. read more

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Best fish and chips this side of the Atlantic. Price is decent, but you wouldn't know with the good quality. Other dishes are good too including the vegan options. Please stick around Bistro 197! read more

This place just knocks it out of the park everytime. Bill and his staff are top notch. The food is exquisite, much thought and care is taken when coming up with and preparing these dishes. I've had brunch there that is wonderful, some fresh hash and eggs if I recall were wonderful. I went on my birthday a week ago and got the Nashville Hot wings and a steak. The wings were very spicy, just perfect, a great combo of hot and sweet as it should be. Wings were perfectly cooked, crispy and juicy. I also got a steak which was perfectly cooked, my wife got the special which was pasta with a nice tomato sauce with cherry tomatoes with a bit of a kick, and topped with ricotta mixed with pesto... it is now my favorite sauce on pasta, so rich and creamy, it was amazing. I hope I can recreate it at home. Also, the drinks are expertly crafted. I'm not a big drinker anymore, but I make sure to try a cocktail each time I come. The Earth gin and tonic is my favorite. In closing, this place is one of the few in this area offering such high-quality fare. I've been all over the country, this is top 5 places in my list. If you're in the area it's a must visit. read more

Bistro 197 - Nashville hot wings with house ranch and pickles. - French Near Me - Oswego, New York

This spot has been in my radar since they opened and we finally made the trip to Oswego. I was impressed with this section of town and all of the revitalization that took place. It isn't the Oswego I remember from my college days for sure! From the moment I called to make reservations and encountered a tremendously hospitable employee who was sure to tell us about the entertainment that evening and to make sure we had the perfect seat based on our noise tolerance, I knew I was going to love it here. We arrived to a smiling hostess who not only was the greeter, but the server, and take out order guru. She never missed a beat and was incredible! We had already read the new winter menu online and knew what we wanted, but when we heard about the Chefs Thai mussels we had to order them as an app! All I can say is I wish I had a loaf of Columbus bread as I would have eaten every drop of the sauce it was that good! They did serve crostini with it to be fair. The mussels were cooked perfectly plump & sweet. Now on to dinner. We love watching Stanley Tucci's show Searching for Italy and on one of the shows they had a pasta I was unfamiliar with (I married a pasta making Italian so not much is a surprise to me!) Sacchettoni. I am so glad I stayed with my conviction and ordered it. Simply stated perfect and Al dente as served in Italy. This dish had an artistic flare as charcoal was added to the dough, and the ricotta filled pasta was served over a bed of whipped Brie, caramelized onions, apple and sage, topped with the perfect crunch of toasted walnuts. 5 perfect purses! My husband normally the meat eater, couldn't resist the linguine alla Nerano, a delightful pasta tossed with fried zucchini, caramelized fennel, parmagiano, basil, and provolone crisps again for the perfect crunch. Wine list was reasonable and we chose the Barone Fini Pinot Grigio at $30/bottle which was full bodied and richer than expected and a great compliment to the meal. speaking of complimenting.....the entertainment was absolutely fantastic! James Taylor songs, and fantastic artists to listen while we dined. This duo rocked it! I can see why reservations may be needed and why they have such a loyal following. Well done! read more

Had a very nice dinner, another winner of a vegetarian option of Thai cauliflower Curry. The risotto also looks very nice and I really enjoy the seasonal changes in the menu. The food is a five star, but on a Friday night the music can get kind of loud read more

Service was amazing, Mark is a very friendly and nice server! Food was fast and delicious, went around 2pm for lunch. Fine dining but comfortable ambiance! Will definitely be revisiting, highly recommend plus drink list is unique and extensive!! read more

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Service excellence!food even better!from starting the bar for cocktail hour to dinner service above and beyond! Delicious dinner and dessert. read more

The bistro is my favorite go to restaurant for fun vibes, great service and amazing food. Nestled right in downtown Oswego, parking outside is limited but you can find a spot across the intersection - which is only a quick walk to an amazing atmosphere. Most days the bistro offers live music to enjoy with dinner. Many times a small 1-3 person band sets the mood for an intimate dinner with loved ones. Sean and his whole staff create a wholesome dining experience that makes you want to come back for the great service and even better food. 10/10 recommend if you take a trip to Oswego, NY! read more

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Food was excellent Service by Mark was excellent , friendly, attentive and very kind Very nice place Highly recommend! read more

I ended up here because the folks over at the first spot we went to were rude and weren't interested in my business. Why am I so happy about that? Because I ended up here - and don't have pics because the food was that good. New England oysters - slammed; calamari - amazing; bocci balls - great. Entrees - Bistro burger was apparently amazing; the iron cast chicken was incredible; the duck two ways was delicious; and the short rib truffle gnocchi was one of the best things I've had this week. The wait staff was great and really cool - shout out to you Emily. And even though it was packed, and they may have been short staffed, they really did not disappoint and I appreciated all of the effort and positive vibes. We'll be back for sure! read more

Service was attentive. Had small plates and a bottle of wine. Started with a dozen oysters, which were very good. There was live music making for a pleasant experience. Would definitely come back. read more

Ambiance is absolutely perfection Wait staff was perfect The soup, sandwiches & adult beverages were super fun to read on the bevy list:) this was@3:30pm Sadly though, went back for dinner@8pm w my Oswego Freshman granddaughter & they couldn't accept us as we didn't have reservations, although we were initially told to wait while a table was cleared to accommodate 3 of us:( read more

The Bacon & Apple sandwich with fries (lunch menu) was absolutely fantastic. My goodness. read more

The beef short rib literally melts in your mouth. The service is usually amazing. And the ambiance is perfect, just bright enough to feel cozy. The drink menu is funky and has something for everyone. read more

Amazing, creative dishes! Outstanding French Onion soup! Friendly staff and owners.

We stopped in Oswego overnight on our way through the canal system. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. We started with French onion soupI had the mushroom bolognese--really hearty mushrooms and fresh pasta. My brother had the airplane chicken, again all the ingredients were fresh, and the chicken perfectly cooked. We had hoped to go for a second night to enjoy more of the menu, but it was a Sunday and the restaurant was closed. read more

My first time dining at Bistro 197. Ambience is nice, opted to sit outside; the Thursday Farmers Market gave the experience the feel of a busy European street cafe. Started with a lovely Chopin Vidka martini, can't go wrong with that. :-) Mussels Provençal; very nice but perhaps a bit excessive on the garlic. French Onion Soup. Very nice but am I wrong to find that salt should be used sparingly? Salmon, encrusted with crab served on a bed of farro. So happy that American chefs are exploring the amazing diversity of grains that exist. Delicious! 4 of 5 because no one is perfect. I'll definitely come back! read more

Bistro 197 - Crab encrusted salmon and French onion soup. Delicious! - French Near Me - Oswego, New York

This Bistro is where you go to relax, have good drinks, and have food expertly prepared. It's not Applebee's where your food is expected to fly out of the kitchen. Bill and his chefs make each meal essentially from scratch one dish at a time. So, sit back and relax. Enjoy a moment in life where you don't have to race along. You should also take the time to check out the drink menu where you can drink the 7 deadly sins and other interesting concoctions. Might I recommend "A Good Ol' Country Ass-Whoopin'"? It's a drink that's a step above its funny name! read more

The food was magnificent; the cocktails were delightful and delicious. Server was very friendly and knowledgeable. But it took well over an hour for our entrees to come out, we weren't offered dessert and the busboy was a bit aggressive with plate and drink removal... "hey guy, I'm still eating that! And stop taking my fork!" We ate: Warm sliced baguette served with a balsamic herb butter as we waited for our drinks to come. 8/10. Delicious and a great intro for the meal. The Bruschetta "special" appetizer: 5/10. Decent flavor, nice presentation but more of a 2-person share (We were a party of 3). Also waaaay too heavy on the onions and I think they used parsley instead of basil. Not bad but it didn't hit the traditional flavors- - something was missing. Winter (mushroom) risotto: 6/10. I am not a fan of mushrooms in any way, shape or form. But it smelled heavenly so I tried a bite of this risotto and... it wasn't terrible! The risotto was cooked perfectly, soft but retaining a slight bite. Creamy and finished with a subtle hint of umami. Served with a Parmesan crisp that added too much salt to the dish and the presentation was very "shaded of fall": Brown, orange and more brown. Beef short rib: 9.5/10. Omg don't ever go to Bistro 197 and not eat THIS. The meat was so fork tender but also crisped up on the outside; the fat was rendered perfectly. Super tasty balsamic bbq glaze finished the short rib and the accompanying truffled gnocchi were bathed in mascarpone cream that was magnificent. Unnecessary (but very healthy) watercress topped/garnished the plate which was put forth in a rustic but inviting presentation. Highlight of the meal. Cocktails and wine choices are plentiful and sophisticated. The wine and cocktails we enjoyed were enjoyable. I highly recommend this restaurant and would say they served one of the most refined and lovely meals I've ever had in Oswego, NY. read more

Not very friendly, food was nothing special. Prices above average.. staff should try to smile

Bill and his team do an amazing job. Menu has a lot of seasonal items and changes with what's fresh. Cocktail menu is outstanding. Great place for a special occasion or a Tuesday. Live music too!! read more

This is a must during our yearly visit to Oswego! It is so nice to find quality food, excellent presentation and wonderful service in such a quaint setting! read more

Really good spot in downtown Oswego. Great atmosphere and drink choices. Took off a star for food, all nitpicks. Only had one thing, as I was by myself. Had a short rib with gnocchi and white truffle sauce. The short rib was good, but a touch dry. The gnocchi were a tad gluey, sticking to the roof of my mouth. And the truffle sauce did not taste like truffle. It was still good. So like I said, all nitpicks, but all together cannot go with 5-stars. Will be back! read more

I am a person of color and walked in with two white friends. The restaurant was almost empty. We were told they were full and I did not see one person of color inside. Maybe they were really booked for the rest of the evening but this was very interesting... read more

On my first night back in Oswego for Thanksgiving break, my family decided to check out 197 for dinner. Since the restaurant scene in town is relatively small (don't get me wrong, there are some very good places to eat - I've just been to all of them already), it was exciting to visit someplace new. We were absolutely blown away by our food. To start, we had the crostini with pear, Gorgonzola, and walnut - an interesting combination, and pretty good, but not my favorite part of the meal. For my entree, I had the risotto with butternut squash and caramelized onions, which was quite tasty and filling. My brother ordered the tournedos, which was determined by the carnivores at the table to be some of the best tenderloin they've had. The salmon and scallops were also very good. But dessert was definitely the best part, at least for me. I'd mentioned halfway through my entree that I hoped they served crème brulée (I had randomly started craving it), so when I heard they had it I obviously had to get some. Best. Decision. Ever. It was absolutely mind-blowingly delicious. Everyone else at the table agreed that it was the best dessert out of the four we tried. Aside from the food... The atmosphere and service were also great. The interior was pretty modern and sophisticated, very well-designed, and our server was quite kind and attentive. Overall, I would absolutely recommend 197. It's different from anything else in Oswego, and although it's also more pricey than other restaurants downtown, it's well worth it. You get what you pay for. read more

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Went to this restaurant for our first time on a Wednesday night. The atmosphere was nice. Small restaurant but we didn't feel crammed. Our table was right next to the kitchen however which is not the spot I would choose again. The dark lighting in the dining room didn't mix well with the bright lights glaring from the kitchen. First impression was that the drink menu was NOT GREAT. Every restaurant should offer a glass of Cabernet by the glass, this menu offered a Cab-Merlot which I'm sure is great but for all those out there who just want a glass of Cabernet they did not have one. The beer menu was so-so as well. If you want to introduce craft beers on your menu then pick some decent ones! The bread came out with a black olive dip as well as a pesto spread. Both were delicious and a nice change of pace from your usual butter or olive oil. We ordered two appetizers, the soup trio and proscuitto-wrapped shrimp skewers. We were shocked to see that only two pieces of shrimp came on the plate. For the price we paid, we expected a little more. The soup trio on the other hand was perfect. The serving sizes were great and they all tasted delicious! We split the spinach salad which was excellent. We wished we had skipped the skewers and stuck to the soup and two salads. Next came entrees, we got the rib eye special and the salmon. Both were unbelievable. The salmon was perfectly cooked and so fresh. Every dish we were given besides the spinach salad were loaded with butter however. Next time, I would ask for light or no butter. For dessert we split some sort of layered cookie cake, AWESOME! This is definitely the highest quality food I have ever had in Oswego. I will definitely be back. read more

Thought this place was expensive for what it was. We got a cheese plate appetizer and the dinner salads. My co-workers both got burgers, and I got the ravioli. There was maybe 6 ravioli, so I basically watched my co- workers eat. Left hungry. The cannoli was good. Probably best part of the meal and we took those to go. Not sure I'd ever go back with so many other choices in the area. read more

Bistro 197 - French Near Me - Oswego, New York

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This place is a great hang. Awesome menu with organic and sustainable selections. Everything cooked in house. Extensive cocktail menu. This is the kind of place where you want to "eat your way through the menu". Live music Thurs Fri Sat. Cozy dining room, I say sit at the bar and immerse yourself in food, drink and lively conversation. read more

Bistro 197 - French Near Me - Oswego, New York

ordered from here through DoorDash. The food that I ordered was a ceasar salad, burger and French onion soup. My deliver was at my house in about 5 minutes upon being picked up. when I opened the bag everything looked great. Then we sat down to eat, a few minutes after getting the food, everything was cold. Excepted the salad to be cold, yay. The burger and fries were not even room temp the cheese on the soup wasn't melted. So I could not blame the DoorDash person. i see that this place has a lot of good reviews, hoping this is just an isolated incident. Rather just had Mc Donald's instead for the price of cold food. read more

Good food, terrible service. Waiter was rude, un-helpful and dismissive of our party. Can not recommend.

I revisited the restaurant, which has a completely new menu, and everything we ordered was really great. I'd highly recommend this restaurant, and their cocktails are by far the best I've ever had. read more

i ordered the chicken Milanese. there was nothing Milanese about it. it was a breaded chicken cutlet on lettuce that had been fried for, apparently, several days. inedible. I couldn't even get my fork in it. And the Manhattan i ordered was very weak. nothing about this place, based on my one-time visit, lives up to the 'bistro' name. they took 50% off the price of the food, so I ended up paying 25 for bread, water, a very weak drink, and a few pieces of lettuce, which were the best thing about the meal. my advice: loo for something better. PS my waiter said it was a new menu, but i say if you overfry something just dont serve it to the customer. start over. read more