Brent's Bistro is an upscale spot with a thoughtfully curated, rotating menu . Overall, the food was good and well-prepared, but there were a couple of issues that knocked this down to four stars. I ordered my filet medium, and it came out closer as rare not a dealbreaker, but noticeable at this price point (~$50+ for that plate alone). The bigger issue was with the reservation. I made it over the phone, received a confirmation call back, and still arrived to be told they had no record of it. They were able to seat us, but we were rushed with a one-hour table limit, which took away from what should've been a relaxed dining experience. That said, the atmosphere is nice, the menu had some nice meat and fish options, and the kitchen clearly knows what it's doing. my parents really enjoyed their Veal Piccata and complimented the portion size. Worth visiting, just hoping for smoother execution next time. read more

Brent's Bistro - Scallops with Pasta - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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I recently had the pleasure of dining at Brent's Bistro, and I must say it was an exceptional culinary experience that left me thoroughly impressed. I had the opportunity to try several dishes during my visit, and each one surpassed my expectations. The quality of the ingredients was evident in every dish, and it was clear that a lot of thought and care went into the preparation of each meal. The service at Brent's Bistro was also top-notch. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food they were serving. They were more than happy to provide recommendations, answer any questions, and ensure that my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. The ambiance at Brent's Bistro was comfortable and inviting. The decor was tasteful and modern, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that was perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal. Overall, my experience at Brent's Bistro was nothing short of excellent. The combination of delectable dishes, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance made for a dining experience that I will not soon forget. I highly recommend Brent's Bistro to anyone looking for an upscale culinary adventure. read more

Excellent Everything! The entrees are exceptional. Brent's Bistro does a weekly menu. It is terrific. The chef really knows their stuff. They have a great variety of Appetizers, Salads, Meat and Seafood dishes with Vegan options as well. The service is top notch. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable about meal ingredients and drink menu. Ken, the front of house manager welcomes everyone with open arms. The place is cozy and leaves one wanting to come back for more. read more

Food was great. Fish cooked perfectly. Would've given a 5/5 but they said the kitchen was backed up and we had had to wait about 50-60 mins from our app to our entries. But well worth the wait. read more

Brent's Bistro - Grouper - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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When I think of a fancy restaurant, I usually imagine tiny portions. This place was the opposite - the portions were large. And the food was tasty. We made reservations online and went Tuesday because it was already booked up for the week. So I'd suggest making reservations a lot earlier. Our waitress was amazing - so friendly and fun. She was very personable and offered recommendations when I asked. Their menu changes weekly and is on posted on Facebook. We enjoyed the bread while we reviewed the menu. A lot of good sounding items. We got a shrimp appetizer with blue cheese. There was so much shrimp. Also, my tuna entree had so much crab on top. We finished with the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake. So rich and perfect to share. We'd definitely come back. read more

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We had an enjoyable experience here for my birthday dinner. Food was good and the customer service was great. Staff were welcoming, friendly, and down to earth. I appreciated they sanitized the highchair for our baby to sit in. A few of the staff checked in on us to see how we were doing during our dinner. There was complementary bread with butter. My partner had creamy potato soup with bacon and scallions and the Virginia Fried oysters. I had the special mahi-mahi with a pecan crust and a blueberry barbecue sauce with sweet potato pancakes and kale with onions. The dish originally came with tilefish, but they allowed me to substitute it with the catch of the day. They require Friday reservations to be made through the phone versus online. read more

One of the top 3 places to grab a bite. 5 star presentation and service. Menu changes so if you frequent there, there is always something new. Own operator is always on the premises to handle any issues . Which I have never had. Staff outstanding and professional. Atmosphere is very pleasant, can get load only due to the size and the tight quarters, but not stuffy at all. Food is over the top and if you are in Wrightsville beach and you want the best meal just off the island. Please I strongly suggest you try Brent's Bistro. read more

Great food and service. Jack was our waiter and we plan to ask for during our next visit.

This place is worth trying, new menu every week, food is awesome and service is always on point, my new favourite place to eat. Everything from drinks to appetisers To main course will return!!! read more

Great food. Convenient location. Staff always attentive. Always try to stop by when in town

My first time. Excellent all around. I got the pork chop and would recommend it. My son got the steak Diane (I think) and he loved it! Dress nicely and enjoy a good night out! read more

Appetizers and mains 4.5, but desserts a 2 at best. Torn on rating it. Lobster escargot was really tender and cheesy with a bit of crunch from bread crumbs (a nice touch). Tuna steak was excellent quality; soft and tender with a very good wasabi sauce and rice with veggies on the side. Korean medallions were very tasty, tender, pleasantly portioned, and cooked perfectly to order. Considering the care and preparation of the apps and main dishes, the desserts were very lacking. We ordered desserts because we anticipated the same degree of success as the other dishes. The Pecan pie was cold, dense, and had the feel of a grocery store mass produced pie. The same went for the flourless chocolate cake. They could have easily raised the level of dessert simply by heating the pie and serving a flourless molten cake (especially considering the season and warm desserts are better suited). Overall, the sense of pride of ownership is obvious and the food is definitely taken seriously... but unless the dessert menu is rectified... save the money and calories on the dessert options.. would definitely eat here again!!! read more

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Went there last night for the first time and I was not disappointed. Great food, cocktails and attentive staff. I will certainly be back to try new options from the menu since they change weekly! read more

Brent's Bistro - Devils on horseback - dates stuffed with blue cheese wrapped in bacon - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

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Great service and the meal was excellent. Hard to get a reservation, but well worth the effort.

One of my favorites in the area. It does get a bit crowded but that's just because it so good. Never had a complaint at Brent's and if you go there you might even see famous people there...... like me read more

A dear friend knew I'd had a challenging week and wanted to make my birthday special. The helpful manager, Ken was able to get us in- for which we were extremely grateful. We were warmly welcomed and promptly seated. We found a lovely California white, anticipating ordering seafood. Excellent choice. We dug into the warm bread and butter- choosing the night's soup- crab chowder. A delicious starter. Yummy! Our entree decision amounted to too many choices that tempted. I settled on scallops and appreciated being steered towards Parmesan risotto when beans sounded heavy. I stuck with the delicious grilled zucchini. My friend chose grilled salmon and rode along with risotto. She had green beans. We were both groaning with pleasure. We weren't eating- we were dining and every bite was delightful. I gave in on coconut cake and chocolate ice cream. Pure indulgence! We were treated like royalty. We were comfortable. We wanted for nothing. The atmosphere was relaxed efficiency. . It's a small space yet didn't feel crowded nor chaotic. The menu changes weekly so there's excitement. The skill level is high but there's not a sense of pretentiousness. It feels like a locals favorite- and it's deservedly so, Ken at the helm in the Front. Creative Chefs who know their market and purchase fresh local quality food. Talented staff. It's a recipe for success. read more

Excellent... an upscale location. Truly an awesome dining experience. Our first visit but definitely not our last. The atmosphere, the service... Ryann was the best, every single course was superb. Looking onward to our next visit. read more

Brent's Bistro hit it out of the park last night for my husband's leap year birthday celebration. Ambience was intimate but welcoming, service was upbeat and knowledgeable without being pushy or imposing, food was scrumptiously special and portions were stick to your ribs! We don't venture off our side of town very often but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for these weekly meal drops to take the drive and break bread here again real soon! read more

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Excellent experience tonight! Brent Bistro is hard to get in for dinner for a reason. It is magnificent! I had made reservations a few weeks in advance for a party of 2 at 530. On the outside it does not look like anything special. However, inside is very nice. There is a bar area and a dining room that is rather dark and seats about 20 tables. There is also an outside area that is enclosed but it is nicely lit and has heaters and fans. I actually like the outside area better. Our servers name was Ryann and she was totally amazing. I could see myself being friends with her. She was so knowledgeable about the menu and about all things Brent's. The menu changes weekly and only a few items are kept on. I had the veal piccata with asparagus and Parmesan risotto. I loved it. It was done perfectly and the risotto was great. I also had a small Caesar salad with anchovies. It was probably my favorite Caesar salad in town. The bread was delicious that is served the meal. My friend had the crab stuffed shrimp and they were heavenly. The menu is a nice mixture of land, sea and delightful apps. My friend had the peanut butter cheesecake for dessert. She loved it. I highly recommend this place for a nice date or for a really great meal with friends or for work. read more

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Oh me, oh my! Run, don't walk, to Brent's bistro! The Mrs and I finally dined here, and were very pleased we did. Nice bistro setting with table seating and no booths. After we ordered drinks, we started with the shrimp cakes and blue corn crusted avocado apps. We instantly liked both of them. I had the butternut squash soup-special and loved every spoonful. My wife really liked her side Caesar salad. For our entrees, we had the cheese ravioli and the sweet pepper grouper-special. Both were very good. Everything was freshly made, perfect in taste, and combination. No need for seasoning, even though they offer fresh ground pepper. The sweet pepper sauce, along with the crispy flaky tender grouper, tasted like a sweet and sour fish dish, which I wanted more of! We both cleaned our plate. For dessert, we had the blueberry cobbler and peanut butter chocolate cheesecake, which were fabulous! The service was good and very attentive. You can tell the servers and management knew the regulars, who frequent this fine restaurant, and treated them like friends. We will definitely come back again, and look forward to the different menu options, which changes weekly. Bravo, Brent's bistro! Thank you, for a lovely dining experience. read more

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We've been wanting to try Brent's Bistro for some time now, and received a gift card from family members, and had a recent reason to celebrate, so we went this past week. We called ahead, to see if we could get in, since we know it's a popular spot, with limited seating, and didn't get to speak to anyone, but left a message and took our chances by just showing up. The staff were very accommodating, and got us a table within 5 minutes. I have to say, this was THE BEST meal we've had in town in 4 years. You have to try the Blue Corn Crusted Avocado appetizer! It's the most original and scrumptious appetizer, and our food server said that it was the only regular staple on their regularly rotating menu. For dinner, my wife had the Filet and Crab Cake, and I chose the Prime Ribeye, though I nearly chose the Peach Barbecue Salmon. Both dishes were perfectly cooked, and I ate every last bite of my 14 oz. steak, which was cooked to perfection (medium)! The bread they give you was amazing, and hot right out of the oven, as was the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake, which we shared for dessert. I don't mind paying more money for good, quality food, and the portions they provided made the price worth it! My wife and I immediately declared Brent's Bistro our new favorite spot for future celebrations, and our anniversary is coming up next month! Might have to try the Peach Barbecue Salmon then...if it's on the menu that week! Call ahead for reservations. read more

For the second year in a row, I dined at Brent's Bistro with my company for our holiday dinner. All day Tuesday I anxiously awaited the release of their weekly menu on Facebook, and it did not disappoint! As the Lobster Escargot, Fried Oysters, and Beer-Steamed Clams were passed around the table, the wait staff made sure that our experience was as fantastic as the last time we had dined with Brent and Co. The entrees stole the show both in presentation and flavor. My Crunchy Grouper was very light and was accompanied by his good friends Asiago Risotto and Asparagus, all showered with lemon pesto cream and washed down with Todd's Old Fashioned. As the restaurant got busier, the ambiance remained intimate with our table and we did not feel invaded even though we were seated close to the hallway with the bathrooms. The only reason I cannot give this experience a perfect 5 stars is due to the fact that the wait staff seemed to spread a bit thin during peak rush and we lost sight of our server for about 15 minutes while we finished up. I will not let that keep me from returning in the future, though, and I'm sure we will be back next holiday season, if not before! read more

Hey guys! Yeah, you, the bartender that worked Thursday August 1st around 5:30. We had just left Bridgetender and wanted to try BB for a drink and app. The host was a young guy, very polite. We asked if we could grab 2 of the 4 seats at the bar. The host explained that we needed reservations. I was surprised cause bars are usually first come first serve. Host also said the bartender told him they had reservations set up for 6:30 for someone else. We asked if we could grab two bar seats and have a drink and app and promised we'd be gone in plenty of time. Bartender again, said no. To sum it up, bartender needs more training in dining room etiquette and time management of seating. Host fellow did a great job. BB needs to understand that they are not the only place to go and that they need to try just a little harder to keep a customer that is already in the door. read more

Terrible customer service! Walked in to grab a quick appetizer and a glass of wine and was told I couldn't sit at the 2 bar seats that were EMPTY! I asked why and he said they're reserved for 4 people @ 6:30. Well... this is where it went south. I'm there at 5:15 and said I'd be gone before the 6:30 party. The poor host(very nice) said I'm sorry but the female bartender said no!!! What kind of business turns paying customers away when you have seats available and no butts in them!!! You need to train that female bartender how to turn her bar!! Never again will we darken these doors! read more

If you can get a reservation take it!!!! Home run every time we have been. It is a great place that locals love!!

First time here as we we're meeting friends for a long overdue COVID dinner. Very impressed on two fronts 1) the quality of the food 2) the creativity of the kitchen. I always admire chefs for creativity even though they sometimes don't hit the mark. For appetizers we had the burrata, seared ahi tuna and the fried avocado. Now, I was curious and excited about this as I'd never heard of it being prepared that way. Result? Was innovative but the breading added to make the crunch stole from the avocado. But, I like the creativity. My entree was the duck confit. Delicious, but what really added to it was it was on a bed of sweet potatoes and kale. Nice marriage. Definitely a place I will return to and the fact that it changes it's menu (weekly?) makes it more interesting. Go! read more

Simply delightful! For months, my boyfriend (Jim) and I had heard about the wonderful food and atmosphere at Brent's Bistro. We finally had an opportunity to experience it first hand last evening. We were not disappointed! Although we have dined at amazing restaurants all over the US, we are self-described "Wilmington foodies," who over the course of several years, have enjoyed cuisines from many local restaurants. The food, with weekly rotating menus for appetizers, entrees, and desserts, was fantastic! The hospitality was superb, as the front of the house manager, who was delightful and "worked the room," recommended several menu items for us to try. We sat at the bar (since Brent's is so good that it's difficult to get a reservation) and the bartender was very attentive and knowledgeable of Brent's constantly changing "chef-led " menu. Needless to say, Brent's is in our top 3 for both very creative and tasty menu items and excellent hospitality. Last night was our first time, but definitely not our last. Charlene & Jim read more

We were in town visiting this last week and were in need of a place that takes and had an open reservation for dinner. I called around and landed at Brents Bistro, which I can say was phenomenal and we will definitely make this a regular spot when we come back to visit! We ordered the Thai Chicken Meatballs which were so delicious we didn't even get a picture, but they are a must try for sure! Each of us ordered something different and tried a little of everything. One of us ordered the fried oyster plate, one ordered the lamb shank, and I ordered the fresh catch which on this day it was Tilefish. The oysters were juicy and perfectly cooked, the lamb shank was succulent and flavorful obviously braised for hours, and I ordered the Tilefish Piccata style it was literally one of the best fish and preparation I have ever eaten. The Chocolate Peanut butter cheesecake was out of this world, I'm drooling just thinking about it!! Truly this place is a hidden gem and I cannot wait for our next visit! read more

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Great food and service. The Korean steak was phenomenal! Friendly and personal staff.

The entire dining experience was exquisite. Culinary prowess. This was our second time at Brent's. Everything from bread, wine, appetizers, mains and dessert - unique combinations, flavors, and textures. Apps magnificent. Mains were artwork and spot on. Swordfish is perfectly tender. Grouper melts in your mouth. We really had no room for dessert but we shared one. Everything made in house. Simply Spectacular meal. Brent's Bistro deserves beyond five stars. We look forward to our next experience! read more

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Our fourth time there and it keeps getting better. Started with escargot and it was great. We shared for a fabulous start. Next came the flounder special. Fried, apricot glazed, whole fish. One of the best fish meals in the city. Only available when the flounder is fresh. If available don't miss it. Had rice and vegetables on the side. We'll be back for sure. read more

Brent's Bistro - Apricot glazed whole flounder at Brent's. Sweet, fresh and delicate. Loved it. - New American Near Me - Wilmington, North Carolina

Amazing food and the best service I've had in a long time. We got the grouper, mahi, and ribeye and all were delicious along with the sides. Can't get over how well we were taken care of by many servers and host/hostess. Highly recommend and will be back! read more

My birthday dinner here was very good. We had escargot and oysters Rockefeller for starters. Only disappointment was that the oysters were gritty. Dinner included blood orange scallops, steak, and penne with shrimp and vodka sauce. The side of risotto was nearly tasteless but everything else was very good. Desserts of chocolate chip cobbler with ice cream, pecan pie with ice cream, and peanut butter chocolate cheesecake were all very good and in generous portions. Service was excellent. The dining room seemed louder than usual sometimes making conversation difficult. Despite these very few complaints we will continue to return here for good food. read more

Brent's Bistro is my favorite restaurant in Wilmington!!! Menu changes weekly with fresh takes on different dishes and they are always delicious. This night was Firecracker shrimp-Awesome Start. House Salad-Try the White Balsamic Vinaigrette-Thank me later. And let me tell you, if Korean Marinated Beef Medallions on the menu. Have to do it. Medium-rare and absolutely delicious. Do yourself a favor, find this place and go....... read more

My waitress Morgan was phenomenal. She knew the food extremely well and presented herself with a highly professional manner. I had the escargot to start with my brother. It was phenomenal! Absolutely delicious! To finish I had the beef and oyster Napoleon which I would rave about to family and friends. It had everything going on and the meat was as tender as any I can remember. read more

BEST place to enjoy a delectable meal/drinks, professional service, and a delightful atmosphere. Entrees change often, so you will always have something interesting to try. If you are visiting WVB, don't miss out on this gem! read more

Brent's has been on my radar for actual years, and I finally got to visit last week. It was such a wonderful experience. We had reservations and were seated right away. Our server was very bubbly and outgoing and she was very knowledgeable about the menu. The entire menu changes every Tuesday. Our server said it would be ver unlikely we would ever go and see the same thing on the menu twice, which is bittersweet because our food was amazing. I had the tenderloin napoleon which was a beef tenderloin on top of a potato pancake and spinach over a Béarnaise sauce. I can't put into writing the amount of flavor this dish had. The potatoes pancakes were melt in your mouth delicious. The steak cooked to a perfect medium rare and the sauce! I really can't begin to put into words how amazing the sauce was. The lamb was cooked perfectly and served with the best sweet potatoes and a pesto yogurt which was very unique and gave the dish a ton a flavor. I'm kinda sad I probably won't be able to have either of these dishes again because the menu changes so frequently, but I know anything that Brent's puts on their menu is going to be awesome. I can't wait to go back!! read more

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Best food ever. Atmosphere, service and food....excellent. Went for dinner, 8 of us, and everyone had great food. Definitely need a reservation. A must dining experience. Try the pork chops (your welcome)! read more

We walked in without a reservation and was fortunate enough to be seated due to a cancellation. Brent was at the kiosk and gave recommendations while we were waiting to be seated. The food was excellent and we will definitely be back. it must be very popular with the locals as a number of guests at other tables greeted each other. Our waitress was wonderful and kept us informed that the kitchen was backed up with a large party. She gave us extra bread while we were waiting. They have some of the best bread I've ever eaten. We generally don't have dessert but had the carrot cake as all desserts are made in house. It was heavenly. Everything was perfect. The only negative is that it can get loud. We will definitely be back next time we are at the beach and will make reservations to ensure a guaranteed table. read more

My wife and I have visited Wrightsville many times and have started to like the food scene so decided to branch out from Kipos, Ceviche, Origins etc. The service at Brent's was good but we found the food to be quite underwhelming. The combinations of flavors across many of the dishes did not work in our opinion. Eg grouper covered in brie topped with raspberry purée?! Also, we are all for local-ish spots but the ambiance was lacking and needs to be brought current. read more