My husband and I selected the Black Cat Bistro to commemorate our our very recent (earlier that day) marriage, and what a phenomenal choice! Both the front of the house and kitchen staff made effort to ensure we felt celebrated - from a crisp champaign on the table to "Congratulations" written in chocolate on our dessert plates. We requested a quiet and private seating arrangement, which we were given (thank you!). The Chef's Tasting Menu with wine pairings is an immense pleasure to experience. The sommelier was an absolute joy, with deep knowledge and passion for his selections. The wine pairings complemented the dishes perfectly. I highly recommend this option! If you're looking for a romantic, intimate evening, or you want to celebrate a glorious occasion, the Black Cat will not disappoint. The setting is quiet, cozy, and intimate. The front of the house staff are polite and unobtrusive, allowing you to remain engaged with your dining companions. The food is exquisite, delicate, and flavorful. If you get the Chef's tasting menu, you will NOT leave hungry! read more

I wish I could give this place six stars! It is the best restaurant in Boulder. Period. The food is amazing, the menu is constantly changing based on what is growing on their local farm. My favorite thing about this place is the ambience. Great food is easy to find in Boulder, there are lots of amazing restaurants that are similarly priced to Black Cat. However I think Black Cat has the most intimate, warm atmosphere and I love that! read more

We've been to Black Cat several times for special occasions. I have found the food to be sophisticated and interesting and the service excellent - attentive-yet-unobtrusive, knowledgeable and friendly. Tasting menus are a feature but beware! be really starving if you embark on them, especially the 7-course. The chef also sends out little bites or extra courses so be prepared for a significant commitment of time for your meal. This restaurant rewards your engagement. I have some dietary restrictions so I welcome an establishment where I can lay down these boundaries, discuss my preferences and be pleasantly surprised by the original meal I receive. I really enjoy the farm-to-table concept and appreciate the creativity involved in the winter months. read more

After 5+ hours on a plane, and then a plodding bus ride to Boulder from the Denver airport, I was ready to chow down on any hippie strolling by that might resemble something edible. Instead my lovely friend had made reservations at Black Cat for 9 PM. Because of my epic transit journey, we were a little late, but there was no problem seating us, and even let us sit at one of the tables right up against the window into the kitchen. Most everything is locally grown and sourced, and the staff was very knowledgeable about the ingredients and where they came from. In fact, the staff was amazing in that they were friendly, sincere, funny, and never once made us feel out of place or hurried for being pretty much the last people eating in the restaurant. Faced with so many options, we both went with the chef's tasting menu. This was the best decision by far, because this is what we ate: house-smoked salmon with arugula and a light dressing, striped bass with lentils, shaved foie gras over a biscotti with a small glass of rhubarb-strawberry-beet-hay tea (yes hay!), braised lamb shank and house-made lamb sausage over quinoa, and then quail over farro with this tasty, sticky sauce. The portions were perfect; each were small but overall created this layered, filling meal. My favorite was probably the lamb, and the bass, and the hay tea, but I wish I could describe better each dish, because the flavors were more complex and the plating was beautiful, with lots of little sauces to complement the dish. With some citrus coconut sorbet to cleanse the palate, we had a dessert tray with no less than six different little desserts, ranging from flourless chocolate cake, to a creamy milkshake, to panna cotta to apricots soaked in champagne... I was stuffed and satisfied beyond belief after this meal. Boulderites (?) are lucky to have a place like this in town. read more

I first came here for an office holiday party a few months back, and the food was tremendous. It was appetizer fare, but filling. Of course, the downside was the company. It was for work, and I was working for a real crappy boss who tried to feel better about himself by throwing a party for us twice a year. Anyway, I ditched the party rather quickly--and left that job as well. I haven't left the Black Cat behind, though. It's a nice little place. My only complaint is that it replaced an ice cream shop. Sorry, but there's no way to replace an ice cream shop without looking like a villain! read more

I have eaten at some great restaurants in my life and Black Cat is now at the top of this with these other places. The restaurant is slightly off the beaten path of Pearl Street and I was attracted to it by other Yelp reviews (thank you!!). I dined alone so I sat at the bar. The other Yelp reviews had talked about the Foie Gras and, being from California where it is unavailable to me, I had to have it! Sean, the sommelier, brought me an incredible sancerre to pair with the foie and everything just worked as it was meant to be. The foie terrine was perfectly prepared. Magic. That is the best way I know to describe it. I then had the charcuterie plate that was one of the best in my life. Also paired with an amazing wine. I could go on and on. I am going back tomorrow night for round two as I couldn't get enough tonight. Truly one of the best dinners I have had in my life. read more

After multiple visits to Black Cat, it's finally time to fork over 5 stars. Food, service, ambience, attitude: A+. Black Cat fits into the growing farm-to-table restaurant niche, firmly positioned on the high end. Intimate and elegant, but, at the same time, casual, cozy, and comfy. The organic farm that supplies Black Cat is headed by the owner of the restaurant, and Black Cat has presence at the Boulder Farmer's Market. The menu changes frequently enough that I'm not going to go dish-by-dish in this review. They even have "root cellar" meals in the winter. The wine menu is long and esoteric, and the waitstaff will help you navigate it sans pretension. Boulder is replete with eco-douchery, but Black Cat comes across as the real deal. There's no presiding dogma, and no self-righteousness; they feed you food from their farm like family. Philosophically, Black Cat is in the same category as The Kitchen, but more intimate (like John's Restaurant), more luxurious, and they run their own farm, rather than sourcing from local farms in the area. If you have foodies or gourmets visiting from out of town, and you want to show them high-end Boulder farm-to-table done right, take them to Black Cat. read more

Lost stars: I had been dying to dine at the Black Cat since moving to Boulder this summer and finally got my chance tonight! I had heard nothing but all around good news about this restaurant-from their staff to using ingredients from their local farm. We went with the 6course tasting menu and were very disappointed. After dining at a restaurant like Mateo where very healthy portions are offered, the Black Cat certainly left us hungry. Ok. I understand tasting menus are supposed to be small, but this was really small. I guess it was a night of palate development? Won stars: Service is to the T. All of the courses were perfectly timed and upon disliking the jello we were served for dessert, it was promptly replaced with a yummy elderberry crumble with chantilly & frangipane. As for presentation-nothing but excellent (except maybe the expo should pay a titch more attention to greasy plates). Next time: If I return, I will check to see if dishes ordered a la carte are full portions. I love my food, I want my food to be divine, but I also like when I leave an expensive restaurant feeling satisfied. Bon chance Black Cat. read more

My girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to get an early reservation here. We both got the $75 chefs tasting and it was excellent! The server was fantastic and gave us a brief overview of the restaurant itself and how they incorporated each dish with something from their farm. Each food runner treated us like we were their own table and were just as knowledgeable as the servers on the dishes. The restaurant itself has an awesome vibe and the one thing that definitely caught our eye was their variety of antique tableware. We got a different style fork or knife each time which definitely gave the restaurant a cute, unique touch. We were also celebrating our anniversary so on top of giving us two extra savory tasting dishes, they wrote happy anniversary and gave us a delicious dessert. I would highly recommend this restaurant. A little pricey, but definitely worth it. read more

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My husband typically doesn't appreciate New American. But we'd been so impressed with the food in Boulder over our weekend trip, and a friend recommended Black Cat, so we gave it a try. He loved the duck breast and duck confit. I loved the upside down wild plum cake. Need to try making it! It was a little dark in the restaurant. I think I would have appreciated the plating and colors on the plate more if there were a little more light. read more

Simply amazing. Frasca or Salt get all the press in Boulder, but Black Cat is the place to go for amazing food. The five course wine pared mystery dinner was a meal of tasty delights and I plan to go there again just for that. read more

Wow What a wonderful night we had at the Black Cat. I really don't know where to start, for I don't know what I liked most, so I guess the best way to go is to start at the beginning. We had a pretty early reservation, at least for us, got there right on time and were seated right away from a hostess that greeted us promptly and very cheerily and who also took our coats. Our table was fantastic for us, it was booth, which we were seated on the same side, which we love. Our table was a bit in the corner by the bar, but it was also near a window, and while some might not have loved it, we thought it was fantastic. Our waiter quickly showed up, whose name on our receipt was Jon D, and started informing us about the menu. He recognized from our reservation that it was our first time at the restaurant and he gave us a bit more information about the restaurant than he probably normally would have, and we loved it. We happened to be there during restaurant week, and when looking at beverage options he pointed us to the wine flights that were designed to go with the courses from the restaurant week that we decided to order. It was almost sad, as their wine list is so robust, but we took his suggestion and did the wine flight, but hung onto the wine list to keep checking it out. Normally when we go out to eat, we do a lot of tasting of the others food, we unfortunately did not do a ton of that at the Black Cat and that was due to the wine. The wine pairings were SO GOOD and so well done that it was such a step down in food compliment that we both rushed back to our respective dishes to keep the happy marriage of food and wine on our palets. I have never seen wines and foods paired so well together. The wines we had were very good, but not the best I have ever had. The food was also very good, but not the best I have ever had, but together the were fantastic. It is what food and wine are supposed to do each other when done properly. a case of 1+1=3. There wasn't a speck of edible food left on either plate after all three courses. The desserts were also of special note. Probably the best Panna cotta and coconut rice pudding either of us had ever had. After dinner we had a cocktail and a fantastic cup of fresh french pressed decaf. The cocktail was one that we frequently make ourselves, and they somehow knew what I wanted more than I did, as theirs was better. It was a random occurrence that we even went, as we only went due to another restaurant canceling our reservation, which we were later told was an accident. We will be back, it was fantastic, and we thank you for helping us have a wonderful night. read more

This is a very special restaurant with expertly selected ingredients and dishes that really focus on flavor. The restaurant is small but nicely decorated. Their liquor selection (I'm into gin) is also nicely done. The prices may seem a touch high, but they aren't so bad if consider the quality of ingredients an preparation. I'd review menu items but since they use produce they raise as much as possible, it changes daily. The sauces are excellent an the pasta is superb. Again, I can't emphasize how nice the produces is. I ate both beets and squash (which I detest usually) were quite incredible and delicious. Go here. It is nice. (Oh the wines while pricier than the norm are quite good and they are ery knowledgeable about them) read more

This is the best restaurant in Boulder, hands down. We came here to celebrate, and we were treated to a fun and delicious meal, with wine pairings. The food was so amazing, I wanted to shake the hands of all the chefs. They really think through each course so that everything compliments each other. The way they do it, you pay a set price, and they basically will bring you courses from the chef until you are happy and full. There's no limit! And they'll keep pairing wine with each course. What a fantastic and homey way of feeding people. They told us that the farthest someone has gone is 13 courses. We tried to make it through, but we only got through 6 (plus cheese course and dessert)! How does someone get through 13? We wanted to, so much, just to see what was next, but it just wasn't possible. We'll have to come back. read more

Such an awesome restaurant. Had a great time and the food was amazing. All the staff was very friendly, welcoming and accommodating. Would definitely recommend. The best restaurant I've been to in Boulder. read more

Black Cat Bistro - New American Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

This place is better than Frasca in my opinion. So creative and hearty. Farm to tables are always a favorite restraunt structure for me, and this place is a shining example why. The tasting menu is a favorite for sure, but I'm not sure if you could go wrong here. Bad space use. Everytime we go our table get bumped by passing waitstaff multiple times. I may be picky, but that should never happen. I have also had my ID checked multiple times in one night :( I just cannot hate though, the food is amazing. read more

We decided on this place after reading several awesome reviews! We eloped in Boulder and wanted a romantic dinner afterward. This places atmosphere was cozy and romantic. We failed to make a reservation but they were able to get us in after someone was 30 minutes late to their reservation. This restaurants owners grow their own vegetables and livestock. The food was so amazing!!! Ridiculously fresh and each bite is flavorful, scrumptious, and you don't want it to end! We had goat cheese and meatballs for an appetizer and it was delicious! Our waitress gave us complimentary bean soup which was wonderful also. My entree was risotto and my husband ordered the lamb. Both were so amazing! The waitress picked my wine and did a superb job! This restaurant is pricey but absolutely worth it! read more

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We tried to eat here last night. It was busy, but a table opened up in the dining room because a couple moved to a more comfy booth. We wanted to sit at the bar or in the main dining area. We asked the hostess if we could be seated at the table that the couple had just moved from. She said no that table is reserved? We said but a couple just moved from it how could it be reserved? We were offered their private room which doesn't have the same ambiance as the main dining area. We were dressed casual, but nice and I feel that is why she was not very accommodating. We ended up leaving. Very disappointing since we are long time diners at the Black Cat. read more

Spent 4 hours here yesterday for a birthday celebration. Frankly from the arrival to departure (we were the last ones to leave) this place did well. Before diving into food, our waitress was very good, down to earth, funny and attentive. Now the food, we had the tasting menu: Lobster bisque, Duck liver terrine, salmon (2 ways), pork belly, sturgeon, Colorado beef and delicious donut hole for dessert. The methods of preparation were fantastic where all dishes had that perfect balance using the ingredients from the farm. Overall, we loved it and will definitely return!!!! Great job guys! read more

This place was truly remarkable, I don't know how else to put it. Usually out of our price range, we decided to splurge to celebrate our engagement. The waitstaff was attentive and very knowledgeable, and we got a big private booth. We both got the Tasting Menu and the courses were all surprising and delicious. We had plenty of food, I think 8 courses by the time it was all done, and left feeling satisfied but not overly stuffed. If I had a dollar for every time my fiancé said, "This is so good!" I could afford to go back a second time. read more

The Black Cat is one of the best restaurants in Boulder. First of all - the atmosphere is stunning. I always describe it as romantic, unique, and very comfortable. The service is seamless. They have a very small staff and work very well together as a team. I have always felt very taken care of from the moment that I walk into the door until the moment that I have to peel myself away from those comfy couches. The food is top notch. My favorite dish EVER was the potato crusted scallops. I still find myself daydreaming about that dish. They are true farm to table and do everything with the utmost integrity. read more

Oh. My. Gawd. I just had the most amazing meal for $50 including tip. And the service was phenomenal. These guys are perfectly willing to bend over backwards to make you happy, and they're all really sincere. I'm doing an extremely restrictive cleanse right now and I can't have any wheat, soy, sugar, dairy or legumes. They didn't bat an eye at modifying the dishes to accommodate me. And even after all those restrictions, they managed to make it one of the most delicious meals I've had in a long time. If I were a local this would be a weekly indulgence. Anyone who knows me knows that I have an obsessive love of bacon. Well, they served me 3 different cuts and preparations of local, organic pork! Needless to say, I'm in heaven right now. read more

I did not have the sampler menu so I can't review that part. I had the butternut squash soup which was out of this world and the beef duo. The plates are very creative but the sauces may need some refinement on the texture side of it. I think what makes this place good is their ingredient selection, everything is fresh and locally sourced. The servers are very knowledgeable and helpful with wine pairing. Ambiance is really nice, perfect setting for a date. read more

6 course chef's tasting menu was amazing! Each course was so different & unique and love that some of the foods came straight from their own farm. The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable about each dish as well. They really made it a very special night for us. read more

Great dinner last night. Tasting menu and wines were awesome, pork pate, and fish were standouts, thank you

Unbelievable dining experience. Highly recommend the Chef's Tasting paired with wine. We sat at a more immersive table and got to see all of the food being prepared which was very unique. Most of the food comes directly from the owner's farm. Impeccable service from start time finish. Do yourself a favor and support local! read more

Easily my favorite restaurant in Colorado. Everything about it is excellent. I have been here three times, and have ordered the chef's tasting menu each time. Every dish has been excellent. The wine pairings were fantastic, and the service was stellar. And, they are happy to cater to all dietary restrictions, and you don't miss out on anything. It truly is a very special restaurant that I can't recommend highly enough. Worthy of any special occasion. read more

My girlfriend and I ate there about a month ago and really enjoyed it. The staff is awesome; Warm, welcoming, accommodating and not pretentious in the least. The food is fantastic; Always fresh, BC style cuisine with a strong French influence. The price isn't too bad either for what you get. read more

We went to Black Cat for our wedding anniversary with high expectations. We made reservations a couple days in advance but were given a tiny table next to the kitchen. We had to watch all food preparations and listen to staff talks, it was almost as if we were watching the Food Channel. There was no privacy at all. The service left us feeling tense and a little out of place. We are in our early 60s, we don't eat much, but when we asked if we could share a tasting menu, the answer was "we do not share here". The menu was very limited. Charcuterie was good, but the entrees were sloppy and unimpressive. You can get far better food at many other local restaurants. For special events we much prefer the Flagstaff House, the ambience is better and you get a great view. Brasserie Ten Ten is also a great choice, they have a wonderful atmosphere, comfortable seats and tasty food. We didn't stay for desert and instead walked on Pearl Street and had gelato from Fior di Latte. It was awesome and helped us forget about a disappointing experience with Black Cat. Sorry to say but Black Cat was below average. read more

My BFF and I had the tasting menu and wine pairings... Other than the slightly one note foie gras and Sauternes every single pairing was unexpected, interesting and impressive. The gnudi...OMG!! Many offerings not on the main menu and many I wouldn't necessarily order...sometimes it's nice to leave the thinking to the Chef and the Somm! Fabulous service - funny, not fussy! Worth every penny and I can't wait to go back!! read more

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What can I say, after 8-11 courses of meticulously prepared food and premium wine pairings I was in a slight coma.... but I couldn't have been happier to be there. I am not a smoker, but I took a drag after this meal. We did the tasting menu- We were there for over 3 hours, and every course was my favorite. The wine pairings were very well thought out and paired with the food. I will be back, but I will never order just an entree. read more

Where to begin? Wow! We did their tasting menu paired with premium wines. The starter courses were sublime. I would go back for the soup. The main courses were stunningly good. Each player was sent back absolutely clean. Dessert... Pretty impressive! Fresh flavors, great service, knowledgeable sommelier. We live in NYC. Good food is easy and everywhere. This compares favourably with any of them. Go! read more

So this must be the food they serve in Heaven. We have been here several times. We had the Tasting Menu. And as usual we're not disappointed. My wife did the wine pairings with each course. The sommelier was excellent and took the time to speak to each wine that was served with each course. According to my wife he nailed it. Each course was better than the previous one. The highlight of the meal was the tenderloin cooked to perfection with a Hunter's sauce. It was so good I almost picked up the plate to lick it clean. The service was seamless and impeccable, everyone worked together to ensure we had the best experience. The gem of a restaurant continues to thrive because they continue to deliver every time. read more

Fresh food. Good food. Good service. Good atmosphere. Upscale but not pretentious. 1/2 block south of Pearl Street Mall in Boulder read more

One of the best meals I've ever had. The menu is very unique and the atmosphere was great for an intimate date. I had the chef tasting menu which was divine. Everything was so tasty and fresh. My date and I sat right by cooking area and it was great to watch the chefs in action. read more

What an all-around top notch dining experience. From start to finish, this meal was outstanding in every aspect from service, atmosphere, food, and beverages. It was my gf's sister's birthday so they brought her a complimentary glass of champagne to start (a very nice gesture, mind you, that I find better suitable for a fine dining establishment then a dessert with a candle). The server prefaced the meal with the motto of the establishment, which I find incredibly respectable. The emphasis on farm to table with the owner's own farm supplying the majority of their ingredients really implies seasonality of ingredients and a true dedication for their practice. I've had Eric Skokan's food at a wine dinner at BookCliff Vineyards a year prior, so I knew his capability when it came to putting out exceptional dishes. Each item we had was great. My gf and I decided to split 3 appetizers and an entrée expecting one plate of each for us to share. Instead, they provided us each our own plate of each item plated similarly as the original, but just to a smaller scale. This was incredibly generous and appreciated. It is obviously more work, but it really does provide each dinner the ability to get the full feel of what the chef wants to convey . Of the four items we split, the beet salad was beautiful, the scallop was decent (although it was one lone scallop), and the bass, along with its accoutrements, was the stand out amongst a pretty awesome lineup. What else would you expect from a restaurant whose chef/owner supplies the majority of the ingredients. Undoubtedly, each plate is representative of the chef and his farm, which makes sense why the plates are so delicious. Nothing short of an all-around remarkable dining experience. read more

Absolutely delicious! Choose this place if: you are open to trying new things, prefer supporting local businesses/farms, want to "unplug" and engage in conversation while relaxing and enjoying delicious food in an upscale but cozy, intimate atmosphere. The chef/owner is active in the restaurant and it only adds to the experience. While in the restaurant his staff is at ease and comfortable, not stressed and micromanaged. Not only is he a phenomenal chef, but appears to be a great leader as well. I love upscale Colorado restaurants because the prices are reasonable (contrary to some other reviews I have read), the food is amazing, and the patrons will likely be hanging their northface on the back of their chair or on the coat rack. It's just the best! Prices: yes you are going to pay more than you would at a chain restaurant. Yes it is worth it. If this restaurant were in Chicago, the prices would be twice as much and the service would be pretentious and terrible! (I really like Colorado hahaha) Definitely check this out for a date night, intimate gathering, whatever. It's so delicious an it's such an experience! read more

Black Cat is a bit of an underdog among Boulder's plentiful upscale farm-to-table restaurants. Although "Bistro" is a bit of a misnomer - the menu here is your classic app/entree deal (portions are a bit small), and the pricing isn't as "modest" as it could be. The food is right on, and the service is stellar. I was particular impressed by their bar offerings. They happily accommodated my dietary restrictions (dairy free) without batting an eye. Presentation was creative. The space is small but clean and well laid out (I was seated right against a half-wall between dining and the kitchen, but did not mind the noise or good smells!). Overall, a solid four with good potential to grow into a five. read more

Had a delicious meal here for the V-day Prix Fixe. The service and food were spot on from start to finish. With the changing menu, we definitely will go back. They accommodated allergy and food preferences nicely. read more

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Excellent organic farm to table food. The beet salad was fresh and the duck was amazing. We also tried the charcuterie plate which had about 10 different things to sample. While we shared this, I could have easily eaten one all to myself. I can't wait to try the Black Cat again next time in Boulder. read more