BLK SWAN
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In celebration of my sister's 50th Birthday BLK Swan was at the top of my list. The food was delicious, no complaints at all. However, my niece ordered a still water...for herself. I guess the waitress thought she was ordering for the table. Before I knew it, we had $77 in "still bottled" water charges. Unfortunately, the waitress didn't inform her that the water was $11/ bottle as she so graciously kept coming out with bottle after bottle. We decided not to make a fuss about it, though very disappointing. My takeaway, be clear with your server. Who wants to spend almost $100 on water? In wrapping up the atmosphere is fun and once again food was great! The watergate is the only reason they will not get 4-5 stars.
I went for Valentine's day and my husband and I had a great experience. The place was decorated with balloons and valentines decor. Everything had a black almost gothic interior, with accents of red. Super pretty and dramatic. R&B music was playing to set the mood. Food came out quickly. Staff were very accommodating and attentive. The signature drink Blk Swan was so good. Crab cake didn't blow my mind, but I went for the overall experience. I'd definitely go back.
I want to love this place! The decor is amazing and I love the dj booth. We have tried this restaurant three times, and the service and food quality just do not match up with the price point. Our first time was during a slow Tuesday. We got good service because we were basically the only people in the venue. We wrapped up our meal early because a fire alarm went off (because of the hotel next door we were told) and it would not turn off and we couldn't hear each other. The second time we had a reservation. We were seated after waiting a few minutes. We sat for 20 minutes with no water or drinks or even being greeted by any wait staff. We left. The third time was restuarant week. The dirty martini was the worst drink I have had in awhile and it was $20. Service was friendly but took forever. We never got water refills. No fun containers for the adult happy meal + we had to request the advertised included glass of wine. The smash burger was good, my husband's pizza tasted like something out of the frozen case at the grocery store. They were out of both desserts, replacement offered.
My partner and I came here for a date night, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish! Our waiter, Cam, was a true professional; friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. He offered excellent suggestions and recommendations, and every dish we ordered was absolutely delectable. I had the lamb appetizer, cooked medium-well, and it literally melted in my mouth. It was perfectly seasoned and incredibly tender. My partner ordered the short rib appetizer and couldn't stop talking about how it melted like butter. Both dishes were phenomenal! My absolute favorite drink was the Smoke & Mirrors. The bartender did not disappoint, they were generous with the pour, and after two of them, I left feeling happy! If you enjoy a great cocktail, this one is a must-try. The atmosphere was just as amazing as the food. I loved the striking black artwork throughout the restaurant, the hidden DJ booth tucked away in its own little nook, and the incredible mix of '90s and 2000s R&B and hip-hop. I was definitely doing some chair dancing throughout the evening! This restaurant delivered on every level: exceptional service, delicious food, amazing drinks, and an unforgettable vibe. I can't wait to come back for brunch. Highly recommend, you won't be disappointed!
Blk Swan was a cute little spot for a double date with my sister & brother-in-love. We went during happy hour time and we were able to dine on some of their apps as well as meals. Since there were only 2 other patrons, our service was exceptional! The Margherita pizza was cheesy and the sauce to cheese ratio was on point. The crab stuffed shrimp was my favorite item! My brother-in-love enjoyed his chicken pasta. The deviled eggs were just ok. The filing needed more seasoning and relish in my opinion. Now, the bill will hit you in the head, so be prepared.
Beautiful space inside with fun vibes. I've been here a couple times in the past and remember drinks being better. This time, the Blk Swan cocktail tasted like cough syrup but at least my next drink (a Cosmo) was good. My friend and I ordered their Spicy Pepperoni and Hot Honey Pizza to share which was quite tasty. Staff here are ok. Best part is the ambience and live DJ's they have.
The BlK Swan is a amazing place to eat. The ambience is great and upbeat and the service is excellent. From greeting to seating to eating the experience is special. The music is upbeat and the cocktails are top notch. My favorite appetizer is the chicken box, be warned it is very filling and should be shared. The chicken I seasoned just right and fried l. The fries are well seasoned and crispy. The Stuffed shrimp and grits are very good. The shrimp are served in a hollandaise sauce and complement the grits perfectly. My only issue is that I would have like a little more spice and perhaps more than just two shrimp. Otherwise, another home run!
Visited recently for the first time for what my girlfriend and I refer to as our regular rotation girl dinner! We made reservations and arrived on time. We were seated immediately. We parked in the neighboring garage as the open lot across the street was for monthly pass holders only, bummer. There were a lot of parties in the establishment and several birthday's. I did feel like we were a bit stacked on top of each other. Service was pretty good and our food was delicious! I had the short rib which while delicious, I wished I had a leaner cut of meat. A good portion of it was fat. I also had a side of regular Mac and cheese. Everything was hot, fresh, and seasoned to perfection. My friend had the lobster pasta and we shared a stuffed shrimp appetizer which was literally 2 shrimp. Get the PWA drink! So good! The blk swan was nice too but not better than the PWA! Dessert menu was small so we grabbed it elsewhere. Would definitely return.
As a out-of-towner, came here based on research on social media. Despite the mixed reviews, I really enjoyed my visit. Except for the entrance door. The door to this restaurant's entrance door is the heaviest door on the planet!! We made a reservation for a Saturday night. We appreciated the beauty of the entrance with accompanying social media light for pics and boomerang and a mural. The place had a beautiful ambiance and vibe to it. Felt like a must visit place for anyone in Baltimore. They had a female Dj there that night and she did a great job with the biggest Hip Hop and R&B hits from the 90s through today. They had a fully stacked bars with plenty of seating and televisions. Food - For the three of us, we ordered the crab cake fritters (which was a bit salty), a Caesar salad, a chopped salad, shrimp pompadour, Brussel sprouts and steak bits. All in all our food was pretty tasty. The brussel sprouts had a good helpig of bacon and steak bites were cooked perfectly. The shrimp pompadour was really good, made in red sauce but was not heavy at all. The shrimps were a really good size. We ordered the smoking mirror drink, which was good. But our margarita was a bit tart and had to request some additional agave. Service was okay. We had to track our waiter down at times, but it was still good overall. Our bill split into three was about $77 each.
I remember visiting Blk Swan when they first opened. I had a good experience. But it seemed to fall off. Well they are BACK!!! The food was flavorful, hot, and overall very satisfying. The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. And the vibe gives grown and sexy. They now have a jazz brunch every 2nd and 4th weekend of the month. Will definitely return.
Based on reviews more so for the ambience and vibe, I drove from Philly to this restaurant and was highly disappointed. I tried to add more photos however something must be wrong with Yelp I was unable to. It's a nice location. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a lot of historical and meaningful photos. There was also a live DJ playing some really good music. The food is overpriced, and the portions are small. All of the food was unmemorable. The server suggested Bronzino, which is a fish. I generally enjoy however this fish lacked any flavor or any interesting notes. My husband had the short ribs. He was not impressed he tasted a little and boxed it up, and took it home. It was tender however the portion was extremely small and was just short ribs. Nothing special. One really good thing were the appetizer crab balls Our server was okay except he bought the check before offering a dessert menu. I asked about it and they said "oh usually no one wants the desserts. We only have two things on our dessert menu." Huh? Would I recommend or go here again? Hard No! This is one of those places that young people over-inflate and hype up as a hotspot and there was really nothing special going on as far as dining.
Food and ambiance were on point. The wait was a little longer than expected for food and our waitress may have forgotten about us when it was time to checkout. We had the angel eggs, Brussel sprouts, and cinnamon rolls for appetizers. The mimosas were delicious As were the skillet, pancakes, omelet with short rib, and chicken and waffles.
Checked out BLK Swan for the second time. First time I took away a jerked pizza which was okay. Very light on jerked chicken. The second time was to dine in. I tried several options. The cinnamon bun, chicken and waffles, sausages and Caesar salad. The cinnamon bun didn't taste of cinnamon, but of butter and a mild orange/weak citrus. The glaze lacked flavor, just mildly sweet. The sausages had what I think was a coating of maple syrup but crusted on. Both of these weren't finished. The Caesar salad was okay, but nothing special. My dining partner partially enjoyed the Chicken and waffles but didn't finish them. There was some disorganization during ordering which may have been due to service understaffing. Ordered items being forgotten, etc. Ambiance and vibe was nice which we both enjoyed. We both agreed that this is more of an appetizers and drinks spot. Probably more the later. Overall, while there is a vibe and cool ambiance, I cannot recommend for entrees and full meals, but more of a happy hour option at most.
4 years ago
Overall: 4.6/5 (dine in) We made a reservation online which requires a credit card to be put down. We were seated in aa few minutes but the place was still packed at 9 PM on a Wednesday night. We got lucky and got a table across the DJ stand which is shaped in a bird's nest. The DJ plays a pre-mix and comes back every once in awhile since he's also a server for the restaurant. The music is lit and the restaurant is a whole vibe. It's a hot spot for birthday and bachelorette parties. Service is slow though since it's so busy. The downside to this place is they add an automatic 20% gratuity to your bill. BLK Swan ($20): Wow, this drink is really good & strong! Highly recommend. Jameellionaire ($26): This was said to be a strong drink but it wasn't as strong or tasty to drink as the BLk Swan. I would skip this one. Fire Roasted Lamb Chops ($34): We got medium rare which was perfect. The lamb was not gamey or chewy. A tad salty the more you eat it but really amazing outside of that. Flash Fried Lobster ($28): This was good but not worth it. It tasted like any other fried lobster. Also didn't pair well with the popcorn underneath it. Korean BBQ Cauliflower ($21): This was highly recommended on Yelp and by the waitress. It was really good. The cauliflower was crispy & had the right amount of batter. The flavors were good as well. Just hesitant on the pricing for a simple dish. read more
4 years ago
I really enjoyed my experience at Blk Swan! I came on a Sunday for brunch by myself around noon. I did not have a reservation but was easily able to find a seat at the bar. I may have been lucky considering I was alone and it was still slightly early. But I would recommend making a reservation even if it's just two people. You may be lucky at the bar the bar though. 3 people came in and I was able to slide down and they sat at the bar. So I guess you just have to chance it. The music was going and it was very lively, packed and busy. I ordered a Red Sangria, first. It was really good and I was on my way to slurping it up before I remembered to take a picture. I also decided to try the White Sangria. It was good as well but I didn't finish or I would of had to call an Uber. Call me a light weight or not! They were pretty strong and I've tried plenty. For food I ordered shrimp and grits. The shrimp were big and cooked just right. They were grilled and spicy, very delicious! Now, the grits threw me off a bit. They were the southern down south type thick grits which I like. BUT they are a little sweet and I don't like sweet grits at all!! Luckily it comes with a savory sauce and I asked for more and was able to eat a bit more of the grits. Overall I did enjoy the meal but will try something else the next time I go. I will say the owner was very present. I assume he was the owner. Very casual but attentive and you can tell he cares about what's going on. He's the one who brought over the extra sauce for my grits. Very polite. Overall, I enjoyed my experience. I will say that I've seen reviews mentioning the price. I paid about $90 for my meal. I understand the concept and the direction. I don't mind supporting. I guess if it's a problem for you grab a donut next door and keep it moving. read more
4 years ago
Of course I had to try a place that MADE us come on a random weekday because reservations were so hard to come by. That being said, it better live up to the hype because who wants to be forced to travel up to B'more from the National Harbor on a weekday.. Exactly.. Lol We had an early evening dinner reservation and the place was already packed. The atmosphere was definitely lively with a mature clientele. The actual restaurant is attractive and contemporary but modest sized, however, they have the tables lined in rows to maximize the space. I'm not a fan of that sort of set up, reminds me of a cafeteria and when I'm high end dining, I don't want to think "cafeteria" AT ALL, but I digress...LOL! They do have booth seating near the bar if you're lucky!! I'm loving the cool DJ booth hidden by tree vines and the bar was super slick, so slick, that I think the next time I visit I'll just post up at the bar! The food was very good. We had the fried pork chop, jumbo shrimp, short rib and the star of the night, the fried lobster mac...We left full and happy! I had my eye on the bone-in ribeye.. NEXT TIME! It's an honor to give a minority owned business 5 stars and although it's been a few months since I visited, this review is LONGGGGG overdue!! Great job and keep up the excellent work!! read more
Let me start win the ambiance of this establishment . It is astounding and the decor was thoroughly thought out. The service was also pretty good but I must day the food was underwhelming. For the table we had the cinnamon bun, pretty dry. For my entree I ordered the fish and grits. I didn't like the grits because they had sugar in them. Not everyone likes sugar in their grits. My friend loved the lamb and Brussels sprouts (safe options). read more
1 year ago
7 months ago
I know I'm late to the Blk Swan party. Seems like everyone has been here but me lol! This was my first visit but not my last. The service was great and everyone from the hostesses to the bartenders to the wait staff were warm and attentive. I was a little taken aback by the prices, but we got there during Happy Hour so our total wasn't bad at all. We had the Smoking Mirror and Blk Swan cocktails, Brussels sprouts, mac & cheese...but let's talk about this calamari and the lobster scampi pizza! I would rate their calamari in my top 5 favorite calamari appetizers in Baltimore/DMV period. I would have the lobster pizza every week if I could. I look forward to my next visit! read more
3 years ago
Probably my absolute favorite restaurant I've ever had the pleasure to experience. Blk Swan is sleek, and sexy, and inviting. For such a dark space, it's so welcoming and the ambiance is amazing, no wonder we had to book these reservations 2 months in advance. 8pm reservations on a Friday evening- seated immediately in our corner booth. Our server Chantelle (spellcheck) was phenomenal. She was so personable and knowledgeable about the menu options. She made sure to go through every item on the menu and even had the pleasure to go over her top favorites as well. We ordered quite a few appetizers: fried calamari, stuffed shrimp, the chicken box. The stuffed shrimp were to die for, 2 nice sized jumbo shrimp that were perfectly cooked and filled with lump crab meat!! The chicken box-- hot and ready chicken with a side of mumbo sauce and hot sauce. I will say, the mumbo sauce was a tad too sweet for my personal liking but it did not affect the chicken at all. I thought it paired well with the pomme frites (which were so amazingly crisp btw). For entrees we got the seafood risotto, 16 oz ribeye, braised short ribs, Chilean sea bass, jerk chicken pizza, and hot honey pepperoni pizza. The seafood risotto has so much flavor, I appreciate this recommendation from our server as it did not disappoint. Plump scallops and jumbo shrimp and lump crab with every bite. The braised short rib was SO tender it was falling off the bone. The ribeye cut like butter and was perfect paired with the PWA drink. The. Chilean sea bass lacked flavor for me personally but it was cooked well and just slightly underseasoned to me. The jerk pizza and hot honey pepperoni pizza was also great. Perfect way to close my year by going to probably my new #1 establishment for 2023. read more
1 year ago
A place with vibe and people celebrating. Always busy but wait staff makes you feel that you are The person that matters. Food is expensive. There are creative items like the fried lobster tail over kettle corn. Extensive drink menu. read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
10/10 i love the aesthetic and the food was amazing. I ordered branzino & the scallops for appetizer chef kiss lol. My server was nice as well and drinks are delicious especially the holiday drinks. I will definitely be back. The only negative thing I had which isn't a good first impression was that heavy a$$$ door i needed someone to help me open it, it was sooooo heavy and the nasty attitude having host! She had the worst attitude for no reason but other than that I enjoyed myself. Sorry I have no pics of the food or drinks lol read more
4 years ago
It was an anniversary dinner with my wife , the website specified a particular attire , no shorts etc... we got there and people had on the very thing the website said was a no . I wish I would have known , we traveled far to come to this spot, so it just would have been nice to know I could wear whatever I wanted. I've been to establishments with a live DJ, before and I reference that point because, I'm sure it will be mentioned what did I expect with a Dj in the venue . I have been to places and it has never been so loud that you could not have a conversation . Literally the server is even yelling at you, to take your order , there was no room for conversation with my wife, it was so loud . It kind of put a damper on things cause we came with the intentions of having a really romantic dinner in a posh upscale environment. My wife was served her two sides , Mac and cheese and asparagus , her entree followed 20 min behind . I gestured with my finger to the owner/chef to come over to the table . He was offended by the way in which I gestured, it was so loud , and the location he was standing in , it was an employee area by the kitchen and , I wanted clarification on the eta of the food for my wife . The owner was very nice and accommodating, he expedited the food , and was pleasant to speak with . The owner replaced the one side , the asparagus because it got cold, and ensured by asking her if her food and my food were to our liking . The over all quality of food for me was just ok, I had different expectations. The presentation of it was nice , the taste and quality for me was not worth 300 bucks. It lacked flavor and depth for me , I had high hopes , it was just ok for me . Perhaps this is a trending happy hour/club spot , not that kind of caliber of restaurant portrayed from the pictures , the website is deceptive. read more
My fiancé and I went to check out Blk Swan and the aesthetics were amazing. This is a place where you go to take instagram pictures and show off. The music was on point and was primarily Afro beats. The popcorn with toasted marshmallows was delicious as well. Our server was very attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. I had the Pasta Pomodoro and it was good. It was seasoned just right and a good portion of food. My drink was something that started with a J, I believe it was a Jamillionare or something like that. I would say it was excellent. One thing I can admit is that this place is a bit pricy. Do I think the food was worth the price?? My answer would be no. My honest opinion is that you are paying for the ambiance. All in all, I would recommend checking this place out. read more
I've been wanting to come here ever since it opened and finally made it! My girls and I managed to get a reservation here the day before my birthday to see what the buzz was all about....the verdict? Read on...but my rating says it all! Black Swan is Black Excellence!! We were seated in the dining area on the other side of the bar. We were so excited to get our order started. I actually went back to the hostess and asked if we could have a booth, especially since we were celebrating my birthday. I was quickly told no (by the hostess with the large afro who was dismissive and not very friendly) and that booths were for parties of 6. We were a party of 3 and the restaurant wasn't crowded, so I didn't understand why it was a big deal. I shrugged it off and returned to my seat. I didn't want to let that ruin my evening. Anyhow, we got started with cocktails - I ordered the "Pretty with an attitude" and it was delicious! We ordered the chicken box, Steak and cheese egg rolls, and Korean Cauliflower as appetizers...ALL were DELICIOUS! The fries in the chicken box tho!! Yummy!! We then ordered the Macaroni and cheese, and broccolini as sides for the table, and the shrimp and crab pasta as my entree. Whew we ordered a LOT of food!! Needless to say, I had to pack up the pasta and bring it home. It was super tasty the next day!!! Our server (I hate that I cannot remember her name) was awesome! We told her we were stuffed and didn't want dessert but she brought a small piece of fudge on a plate for my birthday dessert with a candle. It was DECADENT!!! I truly believe we received 5-star service and 5-star food quality and value. My only concern was the unfriendly hostess. Blk Swan is a must to have the experience whenever in the area! read more
3 years ago
#1 Do not go here on a date because you will not be able to have a conversation. The music is wayyyyy too loud. We could not hear each other sitting across a 2 seat table smh So we requested a booth so we can sit next to each other and still couldn't hear each other. We seen several couples move during our visit to sit next to each other too smh The drink options are limited. So I didn't get anything except water. I visited during restaurant week to try the $55 dinner special. The crab soup was different, but okay. The salmon croquette was pretty good. After the appetizer, the waiter informed me they were out of salmon smh. So she gave me some fish that I didn't like. The mashed potatoes was okay. The string beans were not cooked long enough. The sweet potato bread pudding was delicious. The decor is very pretty. They claim to have a dress code, but I seen several people dressed in basic street wear. The hype of the name I jut can't understand read more
2 years ago
The food was really good! My friends and I went during restaurant week and although a little busy, we still had all of our food on time. The service was great, the music was a vibe and PWA drink, amazing! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
I finally ate brunch here after only visiting for drinks. It's still the cool atmosphere you'd expect. I had the shrimp and grits as well as the brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were tasty but a bit soggier than I would've preferred. The shrimp and grits were solid but a little paltry. Unless you're ordering the chicken and waffles, the consensus seemed to be that the portions were on the smaller side. I was definitely still hungry afterwards. Nevertheless, I would eat here again but I'd be sure to pre-eat. read more
I decided to try BlkSwan the day after Mother's Day thinking it would be slow and peaceful. Wrong! So wrong, in all of the best ways. The decor, loud music and louder cheerful parties gave me Dinner theater vibes and the stage/performers were all of the guest. Baltimore needed a place like this, so different from BarOne, which is more Barry White vs. BlkSwan closer to Chris brown. Does that make any sense? The restaurant itself has a unique, almost sexy goth vibe. The decor and color scheme was, you guessed it, black. Our waitress was impeccable, attentive and had great drink recommendations. The entrees were also impeccable. When it comes to fast-food culture, the chicken box is Baltimore's staple. The delicacy can be doused in sauces -- often "salt-pepper-ketchup" or hot sauce -- and is best served, according to most Baltimoreans, with a "half-and-half". BlkSwan did an amazing job elevating this local staple. It's a perfect nod to nostalgia and tradition. We also had the best bowl of red sauce Pasta Pomodoro (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato. ) this side of La Molisana. The pasta was full of crab chunks and juicy large shrimp. Squisito! I will return. Con- No Butternut Squash Bisque. Note: Automatic 20% gratuity. Drink price Avg. over $15. read more
3 years ago
Saturday Gurlllaaaa Day in Baltimore I've been watching reviews on the infamous TikTok .., so of course I gotta see the HYPE!!!! We had a1pm reservation...recommend Because I've seen where ppl can't get a reservation for weeks at a time Lobster on a bed of popcorn Chicken waffles Lamb chops Brussels Chicken eggs biscuit sliders cinnamon Potatoes We really ordered so many things I can't remember them all The Dj was really good We had a really good time laughing and talking with the other patrons It can get a little loud and seating can be tight at times But overall the experience was nice Food was also really good read more
I've had several recommendations to visit this black-owned business. After seeing pictures online of patrons, I was more excited to experience the BLK Swan, and they didn't disappoint on any level. *The decor and vibe were on point. *The Level of Service was top-notch (Thank you, Ebony. Your smile & personality is contagious) *The Libations were delicious (BLK SWAN and Old Fashion) (Manning you are an AWESOME Bartender that aim to please.) *The food was scrumptious (Fire Roasted Lamp Chops, BLK Swan Salad with Aleppo Blackened Grilled Shrimp, Pan Roasted Honey Glazed Salmon, and Fried Oreo Beignets. *The DJ spun some excellent tunes that kept the crowd grooving. Whoever designed this excellent restaurant left no detail to chance. From the visual characteristics of the artwork to the elegant chandeliers, this restaurant should be on your To-Do List. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
If I could give Blk Swan a negative one I would. Poor phone etiquette, poor customer from management down to servers. My experience here was by far the worst dining experience I've ever had. I left highly disappointed. It took 38 minutes to be exact to receive our cocktails even though there were only 6 other guests in the restaurant. When our drinks arrived they were incorrect and tasted like a cup full of sugar. WHEN I ORDERED THE DRINKS WE BOTH SAID WE DONT LIKE SUGAR IN OUR DRINKS... when Ty took our drink orders she did not write ANYTHING down. Drink request#1: Don Julio repo in a black glass Drink request# 2: Don Julio repo with lime juice with the smoke and mirror effect I simply explained to Ty that our drinks were incorrect ... she rolled her eyes and said "hold on" and went to get her manager. The manager Brandis came to our table taking a deep breath and said "Alcohol is sugar" then proceeded with her solution to the problem she stated "We can remake them the way you like but we have to charge you for both" meaning she was charging us for 4 drinks and we're only drinking We decided to cancel our food and just pay for the 2 drinks and calamari... we did not eat the calamari or drink the drinks and our bill was $92.68 because they included gratuity. I CAN GO ON WITH THIS EXPERIENCE EVEN WITH KITCHEN STAFF SHOUTING FROM THE KITCHEN. read more
2 years ago
Came here for the first time for brunch yesterday and I have mixed but generally good feelings. It was pretty pricey for brunch, I paid $51.99 for 3 items. I got the potato casserole (potatoes with onions), a side of mixed berries for $2, and $26 for the lobster egg and cheese croissant sandwich. I could have done without the potato casserole, it wasn't seasoned that well and was just okay, nothing special. The berries were great but nothing special you have to do with those, they are a great price. The sandwich was good although I do wish it had a bit more lobster. I liked the addition of the BLKberry jam. They do have automatic 20% gratuity even though it was only 2 of us so I was a bit surprised by that. Customer service was excellent so I can't complain there, our server was really sweet. The decor is absolutely stunning and beautiful, everything is black and bird themed. The plates and everything were so chic! So impressed by the outside and the inside. I loveee supporting a black owned establishment so even though it was pricey, I think it's worth trying out. Prepare to pay for parking, or if you want free parking, prepare to walk a few blocks, it is harbor east --a busy area with a lot of restaurants. Many people do ride scooters so that's a nice option. They didn't have someone at the host stand when I arrived so I couldn't check but that's the only other thing besides the automatic gratuity and the bland potatoes that I didn't like. It wasn't crowded at all either. Overall I would go back, for dinner and I do recommend. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
The vibe in the space is club-y, fun energy and great food! They started us with a free appetizer of cinnamon swirl bread with honey butter that tasted like adult Cinnamon Toast Crunch. We got the chicken box as an entree which was plenty of food and the fry plus the mumbo sauce was fantastic. We also got a really nice bottle of wine for $40. Our friends got the short rib pizza and the honeycrisp salad which they both seemed to like. The friend who grabbed the salad was still hungry (it's not really entree sized) so then she grabbed a side of mac and cheese, which was really good but smokier than I anticipated. Overall had a great time! read more
My hubby and I dined here with our friends for brunch on a Saturday afternoon; we had reservations so we were seated pretty fast. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very lively, chic and all around good vibes, especially the music which was courtesy of a live DJ. There were several seemingly good options to choose from on the menu. To start we ordered the cinnamon rolls and the chicken biscuit sliders; I asked the waiter if the chicken biscuits as an app would be filling and he said no that I should order an entree so I did - the Ultimate Tofu Scramble. In spite of the waiter's recommendation, the chicken sliders were enough to be a full meal; needless to say I did not finish them and they were just OK. Because I could not finish my app, I tried to cancel the Tofu Scramble and was told that it had already been started so I forced myself to eat what I could even though I was full - the Tofu Scramble was just OK also. My hubby ordered Trout and Grits and our friends ordered shrimp and grits - everyone said they enjoyed their food... I did delight in my drink! Overall, I was not too crazy about my brunch but the decor and atmosphere were nice... Perhaps this is a good place to get apps and drinks... Not sure that I'll return though :-/ read more
5 years ago
So I have officially been here for just about everything this restaurant has to offer (as far as normal dining experiences). I was underwhelmed with the brunch food, but the overall vibes truly are a saving grace. GLOWS: -Lobster croissant is good. Get it with a fried egg rather than scrambled eggs. - The french toast is bomb. Add a side of chicken and you are really onto to something (the chicken box in general is a highlight) - Tables start filling up early (10am on a Saturday morning). Good to know that is not too early to start brunch! GROWS: - The Dj during brunch is a nice touch, but then a guitarist was set up, which added absolutely nothing to the experience-- it actually took away. It became way too loud, and I was basically in a screaming match with my table. - The coffee machine was broken, so no coffee at brunch. I just feel like that is highly inappropriate. - The lake trout and grits need a rework on plating because crispy fish sitting in a wet sauce is soggy and unappetizing (great grits though!) - The seafood omelette was mediocre, just seafood stuffed in eggs- no distinct flavor -- i was even missing cheese in the bites I tried. - Biscuits were VERY dry (on the fried chicken sandwich, it wasn't as bad, but an order alone was not hitting). read more
5 years ago
I've visited Blk Swan twice and have had consistent service and great food on both occasions. Upon entering, you'll notice a black theme throughout the restaurant. Being black-owned, you can see, feel, and hear the culture throughout. From murals on the wall of black celebrities and public figures, to the r&b that's playing, Blk Swan delivers on an elevated black experience. Food: I've had the Aleppo Blackened Grilled Shrimp, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Crispy Lobster Mac & Cheese, and their Green Hill Farms Fried Pork Chop. Everything - 5 stars. I won't go into detail with every dish except the Pork Chop. I like to consider myself 90% pescatarian with a need for meat, particularly pork, every now and again. This pork chop and the accompaniments were amazing. Apple Honey Butter Cornbread was served with the pork chop. First, have you ever heard of "apple honey butter" cornbread? No? Me neither. It was great. It was so soft and literally melted in your mouth. I wanted more. Pure bliss. Drinks: My favorite drink is the Pretty With An Attitude. It's pineapple infused rum with lime and agave fermented pineapple. I tasted a small hint of spice with this drink (I'm not a spicy drink kinda lady), but it was good. Service: On both occasions, service was top-notch. We never had to ask for anything as all of our needs were catered to without question. Blk Swan is a keeper, and I hope it proves to be successful in years to come. Be aware that you will undoubtedly need a reservation. read more
Gorgeous, modern interior. Upbeat music and atmosphere. Attentive service. Good drinks. Overall a great time. They offer happy hour Tuesdays from 5-7. Some of us were able to make it early to grab bars seats but they quickly fill up. Rico was attentive and makes well balanced drinks. We tried the Pretty with an Attitude and one of his specialties. Both were great. While at the bar we tried the Korean Barbecue Cauliflower which was very good. We placed two orders of lamb chops and they deserve their own line... The lamb chops are amazing! Tender, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. 6/5 (yes off the scale lol) We learned that the happy hour portion is smaller than the dinner portion (six chops), hence the price difference, but the four chops were perfectly fine as they were enjoyed with other entrees. Moving on the dinner, at the table we tried the focaccia - I personally wasn't a fan but it was enjoyed by the majority of the table. We also ordered the Ridge Crest Cabernet Sauvignon which was really, really good. The Blackened Grilled Shrimp 5/5 large, spicy and full of flavor. The brussel sprouts were very good although I prefer them more crisp. 5/5 due to the flavor. The Braised Beef Short Rib entree was good my friend gave it 4.5/5. Braised Short Rib Bao Bun Sliders my friend gave it a 5/5 they ordered a side of corn pudding and we all gave that 5/5.I had the Lump Crab Cake entree - they were lightly broiled and had a decent flavor. The corn pudding on the plate was so good. 4.5/5. The desserts were decent. We tried the Fried Oreo Beignets, Baked Sweet Potato Crumb Pie, Roasted Apple Tart and the birthday chocolate cake. My favorite was the chocolate cake, it was moist. The restaurant was lively and Rico and Khari were able to provide fantastic customer service, making sure our party was well taken care of throughout the evening. Blk Swan was smaller than we expected and some tables are closer than others but we were able to enjoy ourselves and felt comfortable with our masks. Overall I recommend trying out Blk Swan even if it isn't for Happy Hour - it's a nice place with amazing food. read more
I have seen so many TikTok's about this restaurant so I knew I had to visit. I finally got a chance recently on a Saturday night. The area surrounding the restaurant was surprisingly quiet for a weekend in Bmore and parking was fairly easy to find. We made reservations in advance so we were seated immediately. The restaurant was a bit smaller than I expected so the tables were pretty close together but that was fine. The decor was nice and i liked the blue lighting throughout the restaurant. There were a lot of seemingly good options on the menu--we wanted to try so many appetizers but decided on the lamb chops and blackened shrimp. The lamb chops were really good so I now understand all the good reviews on those. For my main entree, I ordered the Pasta Pomodoro (red sauce) and enjoyed it and the serving size was really filling. The menu mentioned that each table receives complimentary popcorn but we didn't receive that. While my experience was pretty good, i do have one gripe. The restaurant features a DJ and she played good music but it was so LOUD. It was extremely difficult to talk or hear the waitress so keep that in mind if you're looking for a quiet evening out. The inclusion of a DJ seemed a little out of place to me given the "sophisticated" vibe the restaurant wants to portray. Overall, I enjoyed my experience at BLK SWAN. It's a bit of a drive for me but I wouldn't mind visiting again if in the area. Word of advice: Don't overthink the dress code like I did. Jeans and sneakers are allowed. read more
Blk Swan is becoming the place to be in Baltimore. I've gotten the opportunity to go twice over the last two weeks....once for brunch and once for dinner. First, I will note that if you plan to visit during the weekend, reservations are a must. Reservations are full a few weeks in advance for weekends. You may have better luck going during the middle of the week without a reservation but it may be best to just have a reservation anyway. For brunch, we had at 12:30 pm reservation on a Sunday. They had a dj playing music and it was a nice environment. I ordered the funfetti chicken and waffles. For drinks, I had the Pretty With an Attitude and Hardship. Everything was delicious and the service was great. I went to dinner this past Saturday. We had an 8:30 pm reservation. The crowd on a Saturday night was much more lively and the music was so loud. It's almost like you're in a club except you're sitting at tables eating and drinking. For me, I felt a little torn about this because the music is so loud, it's hard to have a conversation with someone who is sitting across from you at the table. However, being that I am retired from my club days, it was nice to be in an environment with good music and maybe dance in my seat a little bit. So with that, I ended up getting the short rib as my entree with a side of the mac and cheese. I had Pretty With an Attitude once again. I also tried the Smoking Mirrors drink which I loved! I loved the smoky flavor of it. The service was a little on the slow side during this visit but it was still an enjoyable time. It is nice to see that not only are there good solid black-owned restaurants in Baltimore but we're starting to get more upscale black-owned spots as well. I will definitely return whether it's to celebrate a special occasion or just to treat myself. They recently started doing happy hour on Tuesdays so I hope to check that out soon. read more
I went here with a friend who was visiting the area. The place is pretty small but the ambiance was cute and fun. However, they had music playing loudly making it difficult to converse with my friend. I believe my friend got the chicken and waffles which looked great but I got the shrimp and grits. This was disappointing as I was given 6 small shrimp and a small portion of grits. It was giving more tapas than entrée. The waiter was nice and gave me an extra side of grits. However, the overall taste wasn't too good; felt like something I could've made at home and I'm no chef. I also felt like a lot of the items we're overpriced. read more
Attended tasting and first time visitor. Ambiance is great. Our waiter Mike had such good energy. Food was just okay. While on paper the menu looks amazing the flavor profile was average. Food took about an hour to come out between appetizers and entree and was usually room temp. Could be convinced to go again in hopes to have a better experience. read more
3 years ago
Blk Swan is a place that I've heard mixed reviews about but honestly it's really good! I went on a random Thursday evening. My service was really good and my food was really good, but I didn't like how close the tables were to one another, it made the room feel stuffy and hot. I enjoyed the music and decor except for the random picture of Robin Thicke? I always recommend this place to someone who enjoys a nice vibe of music with their meal. read more
I really want to give 5 stars, but I can't because we were made to stand outside for 20 minutes although it seems the staff was ready and wanted to invite us to sit at the bar. I do understand the restaurant opening at 5, but if bartenders are ready for service why not allow your guests in out of the cold to buy drinks? Anyway, I digress....... I visited with my sister on a Thursday evening. We had a 5:30 reservation, once we were invited to the bar service was absolutely fabulous we actually opted to stay at the bar rather than move to a table. Manny and Rico were very attentive and boy can they make a drink. We ordered the lamb chops to start and they were delicious, very well seasoned and tender. For dinner we had the crab and shrimp pomodoro and it was outstanding! Complements to the chef I believe it was actually worth the month in advance reservation. Oh and parking......so we know Baltimore can be difficult to park, but there is a parking garage less than a block from the restaurant and it's only $4 after 4pm. Aside from the wait in the beginning everything else was on point from the drinks to the service to the food. I would definitely return to sample more. read more
I made a reservation to check out Blk Swan for brunch on a Saturday at 11:15am. When we arrived, there was only two other tables seated. Music was playing in the background and I immediately fell in love with the black decor. Our waitress was very sweet and answered all our questions. We had the pineapple mimosas that were good. For my meal, I had the 3 eggs lobster crab omelette. I thought it tasted really good. My friend had the confetti waffles and chicken. She said the chicken was really good but that the waffles were more cake like and she didn't like that. I would definitely like to go back to try their dinner. Also, I love the Photo Booth they have set up to take pics. Also, as we were leaving the female dj had set up and had a nice music flow going. Definitely check it out if your in the Baltimore area. read more
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Ask the Community - BLK SWAN
On Friday & Saturday when does the DJ start/last seat for dinner before it gets loud?
Is there a preset menu? Hosting a birthday event.
Not sure but the menu is great. Excellent place, bartend was great. Energy and food on point. Alil pricey but definitely a good time and food.
Are kids welcomed?
I've been there about 4 times. I have never seen any kids there but I do not think that they are allowed. It's a grown & sexy type of establishment.
Do I have to book a reservation to get in?
Yes, you have to have a reservation if you're going to eat. However, if it's just you and maybe one other person they may face space at the bar, but i recommend arriving when they first open to secure a bar seat. Hope this helps.
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