I can't say enough good things about this new discovery. Took my BFF to Carson's Bistro last evening for her birthday celebration dinner. Neither of us had ever dined here before. Warmly greeted at the door and promptly seated. It's not a big place, but seating has been thoughtfully arranged and artfully separated so you can enjoy your conversation without straining to hear or having to speak over loud music or other conversations nearby. Sheri was our waitress and what gem! Great smile, friendly, explained the menu and answered our questions.
We decided to share two different dishes. I ordered the Grilled Cheese on Rosemary bread from Ashland OR bakery with the soup of the day ($13), a roasted vegetable cream bisque. My BFF ordered the Chicken Pot Pie ($23), which came with lightly dressed arugula and tomato salad and a slice of the Rosemary Bread. We each ordered a glass of wine (around $7-8), a Riesling and a Chardonnay, both xlnt, and recommended by Sheri, with our meal choices. We also had a chilled full carafe of cold water placed on our table.
The food arrived promptly and from our first bite we both agreed we were impressed and "in heaven". The pot pie is made on the premises, from scratch, using locally sourced fresh seasonal vegetables, with a generous amount of chunks of moist white meat chicken, seasoned perfectly, flaky light crust, with a light, not heavy or thick sauce inside. The pot pie is more than enough for two to share and the arugula/tomato salad is a great accompaniment, along with the slice of warm, thick, airy rosemary bread. No butter required for this bread - it's that good all by itself.
Now to my grilled cheese....BEST GC I've EVER had! Gooey, multiple layers of lightly grilled melted cheeses tucked in the thick, but airy warm rosemary bread. Again, easily enough for two people to share and we did, along with the beautiful root vegetable bisque. You can also get a tomato bisque with your grilled cheese instead.
And then we decided on sharing a dessert. Lots of choices here, two different kinds of crem brûlée, a flourless chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream, a pumpkin cheesecake, or a peanut butter pie with chocolate ganache and a pretzel and peanut crust. We decided on the peanut butter pie - true decadence and no regrets - the diet can restart tomorrow.
With everything except the dessert, our bill was $51, which did not include the dessert because Sheri said it was on the house as it was a birthday celebration.
We both truly enjoyed it all and will def return very soon. They have an interesting, well priced menu with interesting appetizers, an antipasto salad, a few Italian main dishes, Osso Bussco, meatloaf (I'm going for that next visit, but it will be really hard to skip the grilled cheese), along with trout, steak entrees, I believe. The dinner special was an Ahi with wasabi, but they had run out before we arrived at 7:30pm. Service was very attentive and courteous, and Carson's wife stopped by our table to see how we'd enjoy our dinner; a very nice touch as well. Their menu is eclectic and all homemade on the premises. The menu offerings change with the seasons and what vegetables are available locally, so what you see on their website, like the sliders, may not be on the menu when you go.
So happy Carson's Bistro is serving up some of the best, freshest food in Grants Pass. Can't believe they've been right under our noses for two years, but so happy we found them. We enjoyed the whole experience, every morsel, and will return soon.
Located in H St across from Napa Auto Parts (the old Chet's Garden Ctr). On street parking available or park in Napa parking lot if after Napa has closed.
Carson's Bistro opens at 4pm and does not take reservations. read more