We celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary with a delectable dinner at Carson's Bistro. This is our second time here and it was just as memorable as the first. We had the two specials: my wife had the rib eye steak and I had the cioppino. The steak was served with a blue cheese butter, asparagus and mashed potatoes. The steak was so tender you could cut it with a fork. Truly delicious. I like to think of myself as a cioppino snob as it is one of my favorite meals and I've had it at restaurants all over the world. I must say Carson's recipe is superb. His broth has subtle flavors of tarragon and fennel. He adds sole, blue crab and shrimp for the protein. It's truly outstanding and one the best I've had. Jolie is not only the hostess, but also the waitress and pastry chef. She's charming and really fun to talk to. She let us sample some of the full-bodied red wines as well as a nice Petite Syrah. She also enticed us to try her peanut butter shortbread dessert. It melted in your mouth. The restaurant decor is charming and cozy. It makes for a very intimate setting and Jolie and Carson makes it feel like your having dinner with good friends. Still the best restaurant in Grants Pass. Apparently, Carson makes Osso Buco, which is another one of my favorites. I will be sure to come back to try it. read more

I can't say enough about our experience here. They treated us like we were the only people in the room. The service was amazing, the food was mouthwatering and it will always be one of our favorite memories. read more

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The ambiance the happy customers and the amazing owners made for a fabulous evening. I visited by myself and I just had a few appetizers and the tiramisu. It was all outstanding. Jolen worked the front of the house in her busy restaurant and she did so with such grace and a big smile all night. I will definitely be back nice clean food. read more

Carson’s Bistro - Tiramisu - Comfort Food Near Me - Grants Pass, Oregon

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Let's start with the service. Absolutely amazing. Staff are so friendly and welcoming. Owner Carson and Jolie actually walk around and talk to people. As for the ambiance, you could tell how much care they put into every detail. It's a very warm and inviting space. Even the restroom is beautifully decorated. The table had marbles with questions on them as conversation starters. My boyfriend and I really enjoyed getting to know each other. So much effort was put into this place. Last and certainly NOT least, the food. I'm originally from NYC. I have had amazing food. Let me tell you, this is up there as some of the best food I've ever had. Everything seasoned and cooked to perfection. Even the soup and salad were amazing. Then came dessert. Jolie makes those. THE best crème brûlée I've ever had in my life. And I've had a lot. It was so good I forgot to take a photo. I wish I didn't live 7 hours away. Otherwise I'd be a frequent customer. read more

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Food was amazing!! Since we don't go to Twisted Cork anymore, this is definitely going to be our new go to for delicious meals! We ordered the Tamari Beef Tenderloins, ( every bite was tantalizing ) appetizer, the Sous vide Chicken Breast, and the Steelhead. What a delightful meal, every bit was just delightful! Great job Carson's Bistro! read more

Carson’s Bistro - Tamari Tenderloin nearly gone - Comfort Food Near Me - Grants Pass, Oregon

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First time visit. The wait staff was super. The food was the best. The desserts were amazing. We will be back. This is THE dining place in Grants Pass. Make sure to get a reservation days in advance. The decorations and ambiance is something you would never expect from the outside. It is so cute inside. And the tables for the most part are partitioned by soft hanging material. The Moscato was from Italy. Very nice. 16 oz ribeye special was cooked perfectly to medium rare. The 2 brisket dinners were totally fork tender and juicy. The chicken 'jambalaya'-like special was very tasty. Cooked to perfection. Desserts we consumed were the peanut butter pie, decadence chocolate torte, flourless chocolate soufflé with ice cream, and the NY cheesecake. All were excellent finishers. We can't wait to go back to Carson's! read more

Amazing service and some of the best food I've ever had!!! They have a fun game you can play too!! Highly recommend!! My husband and I come here every year on our anniversary read more

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Love and magic. That's what you get at Carson's Bistro in Grants Pass. And meatloaf. Do not miss the meatloaf. More on that shortly. But more importantly, do not miss the opportunity to dine at this delightful downtown spot. It's the complete dining experience. We were in Southern Oregon recently, and stopped in at Harry & David's in Medford. The young woman, Beth, in the wine department was especially helpful on local wines, so I asked her about local dining spots. Her first recommendation was Carson's Bistro in Grants Pass. So I made a reservation for a couple nights later. If you don't know where Carson's Bistro is -- we didn't -- it's easy to miss. It's in an old building in downtown Grants Pass -- a commemorative plaque on the building said it was built in 1932 (or was it 1934?). A tree partially obscures the sign at the restaurant's entrance. But the moment you walk in the door the love and magic hits you. It emanates from the happy sounds of happy diners; it wafts through the small dining room (only 12 tops) on the aromas from meticulously prepared meals; but it's most evident in Jessica's smile, a server who with her daughter has been the waitstaff since the place opened in 2016. She, her daughter, owners Doug Carson and Jolie Wilson love what they do. They love being in the restaurant, they love that you're there, they love placing magical creations in front of every guest. And by the time you get your check you realize that love and magic is the perfect descriptor. There's an old saying that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. That's never more evident than at Carson's Bistro, where everyone there loves creating magic. I wish I could take credit for the "love and magic" line, but I can't. That's Jessica's line. She told us that when we first arrived. She's right. For evidence, I present the meatloaf. Yes, the ultimate comfort food. For some reason my eye was immediately drawn to it on the menu, a blend of ground beef, ground pork and Italian sausage, slathered in bourbon ketchup, and accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes. Jessica said that when the restaurant first opened 10 years ago, meatloaf was on the menu, though the plan was to eventually phase it out. But she said it's been so popular it's still there. I can see why. My slice was enormous, juicy, delicious! My wife tried the artichoke heart, spinach and Parmesan stuffed chicken breast. She raved. When I travel I like to sample the local wines, and though the Rogue and Applegate Valleys are perhaps not as well known as Willamette Valley wines, their wines are excellent in their own right. Doug Carson is also a certified sommelier, and has put together an impressive wine list where Southern Oregon is well represented. I asked him for a recommendation to pair with my meatloaf, and he offered a Tempranillo from a vineyard about 5 miles from the restaurant. More magic. The carrot cake we had for dessert was perhaps the best I've had for one simple reason: it had more cake than frosting. The frosting was only about an eighth-inch thick and complimented the cake's flavor. And Carson's Bistro is affordable! A couple can dine here for a hundred bucks or less. In an era when $80-steaks are not uncommon that's refreshing! Carson's Bistro provides a complete dining experience -- great food, great service, great atmosphere. And a dash of magic. read more

It was a very pleasant surprise. The food, the service & the ambiance were all excellent.

The food is fantastic I had pork tenderloin with mango salsa shaved Brussels sprouts and a delicious surprise was the white sweet potato puree it was great never heard of white sweet potato. My husband had the steelhead and it too came with the white sweet potato which he also loved. The place is magical the owner is crafty so there are special touches everywhere. The service was terrific everyone was attentive and friendly definitely a must go place when you are in Grants Pass. read more

We booked a celebration with friends for a party of eight. I forgot to count myself and my husband! Carson was gracious enough to let us wedge in two more chairs and as usual, the food and service were impeccable! Now I'll add that it's taken me a while to write this review, because after causing an uproar by crowding the dining room my husband experienced a medical emergency during dinner. Our server remained calm, and brought us a cold towel to assist my husband during this episode. We tried to be as unobtrusive as possible during this event, but I do want to apologize to the other diners and to Carson's staff. My other regret is that we weren't able to finish our meals! Many thanks to all involved. We love this restaurant and will dine here again and again...but we'll wait until we're over our embarrassment! read more

Carson's is among the very top restaurants in all of Southern Oregon. You will probably have to get a reservation days ahead because they almost always booked up. We dined with friends and I had the Brisket. It was incredible. Lean and fork-cut tender. The mushroom starter was a big hit among our group. Their beer and wine selection is from the best breweries and vineyards of Southern Oregon. I topped my meal off with the scrumptious cheesecake. With their outstanding offerings every bite was a delight! read more

The food was AMAZING! Such a quaint atmosphere with amazing staff. Our dinner was amazing and we will be back.. presentation of the food was beautiful! read more

Best dinner spot in Grants Pass. Lovely owners, and friendly staff. The decor, food and dining experience are top notch!

Cute restaurant, nice location. Customer service was great and food was delicious! Definitely will be back.

I just visited this restaurant 2023 and yes, they are open call owner for reservations. Where do I start...My partner, friends and I visited Carsons for my birthday and were amazed at not only the quality of food, but also the service. We had the grilled cheese and soup, meatloaf, tri tip and 4 different desserts that were fabulous. This is easily one of, if not the best meal we've ever eaten in Grants Pass. I cannot recommend this place enough! Such a warm and welcoming environment. Everything is made from scratch with the best ingredients ever. Applauds to the chef and the owners. You can't go wrong and it's a must try. Also, service exceptional and the corkage fee $10. Reasonable read more

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Ok Grants Pass. Your not going to find a better place. First of all the ambiance is top notch. You already know you'll have a great experience. Then the service will lock that thought in. Jessica is the cutest and best waitress I've experienced in awhile. Service was prompt, courteous and never ending. Both owners greeted us and talk about the food. Heck they even let us take home a crème brûlée simply asking us to bring the dish back. That brings me to the food. Chicken pot pie was to die for. Seriously the best. I also had the tomato leak soup. My partner had the 7hour brisket. Fork tender. We will be back for the meatloaf and ribeye. read more

We went there for a private food and wine pairing event. It was a wonderful experience, the Food and service was excellent and the ambiance was amazing. read more

So dang good. Had the brisket, meatloaf and grilled cheese. My kids and I still dram about this meal! Devoured every last bite.

Best dinner house in town. Great menu, all pasta house made. Fish cooked perfectly. Quiet( no kids) reservation only,friendly, competent, knowledgeable service. Great wine selection. Carson is very knowledgeable about wines and will gladly make recommendations if asked. No other dinner house in grants pass even comes close. read more

Wonderful food with an atmosphere and decor that was just right for this gem in Grant's Pass. I don't know if it's considered a hidden gem, but worthy of a visit whether you're a tourist passing through or resident alike. However,if a resident, shame on you if you have not already experienced Carson's. The food, ambiance, and proprietors were better than expected. Highly recommend giving it a try, it was a delicious experience all around. My words of advice, call ahead and make the reservation, they do limited seating and close early...but it's worth the effort if in the area. Take my word for it, because we were not successful on our first try when we strolled in unannounced an hour before closing, but luckily, we were in the vicinity and second night and extremely pleased we made the effort to call early and enjoy the wonderful food, people, and experience. P.S. Funny side note, go to the bathroom, it's a lovely experience in itself, very zen with the scents and nature ambient sounds. read more

I'm not sure how to do this but to submit an additional review. I disagree vehemently with the 1-star review submitted just a day ago re service. Please note that others submitted 5-star reviews on the same day. The service is good -- perhaps it is not rapid fire but dining is to be a relaxing, pleasant experience along with great food -- Carson's meets those criteria beautifully! read more

I never did a review while I was a customer at this lovely bistro. we call Carson's so I'm gonna do one now even though I am now one of the servers who has the pleasure of serving all the fantastic people who come to enjoy this over the top delicious from scratch made food. Not to mention how beautifully they have decorated. I haven't worked with people like this before they actually care about every single detail of this lovely establishment. I couldn't be more proud to work there and I absolutely love that that I get to eat that food every single night!. 10 out of 10 every single time! read more

I just happened to see this restaurant mentioned when I was looking for a lunch place online. With all the great reviews, we wanted to try it for dinner. The first time we called, we tried to make a reservation for that Saturday (it was only a day or two beforehand) and they were already full. So we made it for the following Saturday night. First of all, this is a pretty small space, but they have done an amazing job with the ambiance (even the restroom). Interesting and different decor, quite cosy and makes it seem more private. It wasn't noisy, like some other restaurants in the area that have the same type of space, despite being quite full by the time we were there for a little while. Service was excellent. If you are expecting food to come out quickly, you may be disappointed. Everything is made fresh, and it is well worth a short wait. The wait staff is friendly and attentive, so we had no complaints. My husband had the beef tenderloin, which came with cremini mushroom duxelles, mashed potatoes and green beans. I had the pork tenderloin, which came topped with apple and leeks, mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. Both came with a slice of rosemary bread that had an incredibly tender and light crumb, with a perfect crispy, chewy crust. I don't know if they make it in house, but it is wonderful. Everything was perfectly well prepared and delicious. Both meats were incredibly tender. Portions were the perfect size to not be too dreadfully stuffed at the end and still have room for the delightful desserts. Husband chose the carrot cake for dessert and declared it excellent. I had a delightful lemon curd tart with raspberries and chantilly cream. It was truly delicious and the perfect ending. The young woman that brought it had cut it into 4 triangle wedges, so hubs got a portion, too. I was not sorry that I didn't have a creme brulee, which is something I would normally not pass up. We both think this is probably even better than our other favorite Grants Pass restaurant. The atmosphere is certainly quieter and more relaxing. We will definitely be back to try more of their delicious food. So glad I came across this little gem. read more

Everything at Carson's is made from scratch. The food is so delicious. You can tell that a lot of hard work went into preparing it. The service is always excellent. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. The food is not only delicious, but the ambiance of the restaurant is excellent as well. read more

Really a fun place. The ambience is terrific and the personalized service is outstanding. Daily menu changes with a few stand by's. You will go back multiple times. read more

We have been here quite a few times over the years and it's always amazing food and service. If you're looking for somewhere to spend a special evening, look no further! read more

Carson’s Bistro - Peanut butter pie - Comfort Food Near Me - Grants Pass, Oregon

I have been told about this place by some friends and finally tried it. What a wonderful dining experience. The ambience and service were great. The food was superb! Loved that we were able to talk with the chef and pastry chef. The beef short ribs, and meatloaf were to die for. read more

Had my Birthday party here. Food was fabulous, as always. The menu is superb and the specials are well thought out and delicious. Our server was so friendly and attentive with some great suggestions. The entire party had such a wonderful time and enjoyed the generous portions and creative desserts they offered. Since they strive to keep the customer experience exceptional, you need to have reservations. So a little planning is necessary, but oh so worth it! read more

My wife and I have been here several times as of late and have been pleased each visit. The ambiance (day or night) is always inviting and the tables are clean. The decor is a nice mix of indirect lighting, natural flora elements, wood and modern. We love their menu of regular dishes and they usually have a soup of the day and other chef specials. A couple of our favorites for dinner is the filet, their meatloaf and pesto pasta with chicken. Before our meal we may split an appetizer like steamed muscles or a bowl of soup. All the entrees come out freshly prepared and hot! The flavors are distinctive and great, not muddled or bland. The proteins and vegetables seem well sourced after chatting with the wait staff (who are all amazing). Playing is attractive and the meal portion size plentiful. But perhaps the best kept secret IMHO is their Caesar salad! I always have it and ask for the biggest they can make. With their own house-made dressing (and no skimping on its application) its phenomenal. Creamy, zesty, cheesy with just the right touch of lemon and anchovy over crisp Romain. I submit they have the best Caesar salad in GP. And then, be sure to save room for dessert. They have a case with a wonderful selection of treats. We love their peanut butter pie! Truth... read more

Carson’s Bistro - Oh, and then there's the peanut butter pie! Save room for this dreamy treat! - Comfort Food Near Me - Grants Pass, Oregon

This place blew us away. My dad and I were stopping through Grants Pass on the way to Oakland from Seattle in my move and we were looking for a place to eat that would be good and saw that it has 5 stars. What we didn't know was that it was reservation only. We show up (I'm wildly undressed mind you) and as we're about to get turned away because we're at capacity, Carson himself comes out and says he can take us. He's also the chef and though I'm unsure if this was a rarity or common place, he was the only one cooking with lovely waitresses to help take care of the front end. I had the ahi steak and my dad had the special that night which was lasagna. We had an incredibly reasonably priced bottle of wine, some coffee and the most incredible apple pie for dessert. When I tell you that everything was above and beyond phenomenal, service, meal, and overall atmosphere. To top it all off, Carson came out to introduce himself and speak for some time. Next time I'm taking the trip back to Seattle, you bet I'm heading back here. A serendipitous experience, and such a welcomed relief from the road. Thanks again Carson and crew! read more

Carson’s Bistro - I had Ahi tuna steak with mashed potatoes a wasabi creme and Brussels and my dad had the lasagna special - Comfort Food Near Me - Grants Pass, Oregon

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Absolutely fabulous! The chef is creative and detailed, watching over every aspect of the experience. Everything we've had has been amazing. The desserts are stunning. The decor is so homey, comfortable, intimate and just gorgeous. Can't wait to go back! read more

Well now! I see that Carson's Bistro has a 5-star rating and I will also say this: **IT IS MUCH DESERVED!** Small and intimate and decorated for autumn with lots of twinkly lights, Carson and his wife Jolie have had to cut down tables, wait staff and chefs during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it looks like they will make it through. I hope so! Hubster and I went out for a special birthday dinner (okay, mine!) and knew that this was going to be a place where we would try every course, take our time and of course, savor every bite! So, this is NOT the place to go if you have something else to get to in an hour. Go, instead, when you can enjoy the entire experience. :) We started with a cup of soup of the day, a broth-y chicken soup loaded with two kinds of mushrooms and chunks of chicken. I could have made a meal just out of the soup! We also ordered a hot spinach and artichoke appetizer, but I needed to stop because our entrees were on their way! Mine was the popular wine chicken, with mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans; Hubster had brisket, with horse radish infused mashed potatoes and shaved Brussels sprouts. For beverages, Hubster had a glass of red wine and I went with a lemon ginger beverage infused with a bit of CBD. Our desserts were DIVINE and they're pictured in this review. My spouse got a vanilla creme brulee and I had what I think is the restaurant's signature dish, a peanut butter chocolate pie. I'm way more of a cake girl than a pie girl but this pie was AMAZING. I can't forget that my music educator spouse also loved the music playlist, which included Bruce Springsteen. We will be back for our next special occasion dinner. Sooooo very lucky to have Carson's Bistro in our town, and just a few minutes away from our house. :) Thank you, Carson and Jolie! :) read more

Carson’s Bistro - Vanilla creme brulee and peanut butter pie with chocolate for dessert! - Comfort Food Near Me - Grants Pass, Oregon

Carson's is a bright spot in Grants Pass Oregon. The atmosphere is subdued but elegant. The menu is fantastic. I recommend the bone in rib-eye over garlic mashers and fresh asparagus. For dessert I had the vanilla creole brullie which was delish. Lacy is an excellent server. She was a knowledgeable of the menu, always checks back with you and is pleasant and friendly. I will make this restaurant a return go to for sure. Carson the owner will visit your table to ask how your food is, which is rare in restaurants today read more

Carson's Bistro is an amazing fine dining experience. I have loved every dish I ever order here but my favorite is the steelhead. My husband doesn't like fish and even he orders the steelhead. It's that good! Save room for dessert!This is a must try spot for date nights and small groups. read more

We've been to Carson's twice recently and both times had excellent experiences. Great food, service and ambience.

Great meal! Very romantic, relaxing! I certainly would love to come back here. The desserts are made from scratch in the main meals or made with fresh ingredients. The only thing I would advise is that this restaurant is my reservation only. We called a couple hours early and were able to get in. It is definitely worth the effort! read more

Hard to find people who love food as much as these folks. From the server to the chef (Carson) the service was amazing. The food is made fresh in house and sourced locally thru farmers markets etc. Mushroom bisque, caprese salad, spaghetti bolognese, pesto sliders, lemon curd with strawberries and shortbread, and strawberry shortcake (berries were soaked in balsamic glaze. I highly recommend this place...you won't find a place that is more excited to make you welcome. read more

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Carson's Bistro always shines! The ambiance, staff, chef, owners always make it an unforgettable experience!!! Magical

Food was excellent but there was a single server for the entire restaurant and it took FOREVER . Until staffing changes will not return.