What an unforgettable experience! I'll keep the specifics vague to preserve the magic for future guests, ... Cow by Bear is a chef-led, immersive journey featuring thoughtfully curated courses, premium wine pairings, and a stunningly intimate ambiance in one of Chef Bear's secret locations. Every dish was delicious and expertly paired with premium wines. The service was outstanding, and we loved the opportunity to connect with other guests in such an intimate setting. It's a unique experience from start to finish - highly recommend! Parking can be difficult on weekends, so give yourself plenty of time. Thank you Chef Bear, for having us! read more

Cow By Bear - Cheers to Chef Bear! - Steakhouses Near Me

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The food was really good, and what's really good about this is the personal touch. The experience was absolutely one of the most fun nights I've had. There's real passion behind the cheesiness of a bear serving you, I don't think they will let you have a bad time. The drinks were great, if you drank them fast they were there to refill. Their attention to customer service was phenomenal. read more

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A fun experience although a bit different than I thought it'd be. You meet at Nolita Hall where you can get a pre dinner drink off a special menu. They then walk you across the street to a house that looks like it's dedicated to intimate dinner parties. My partner and I chose one carnivore and one vegetarian menu. It was nice getting to try both as some of the dishes were the same but the majority were different. Wine pairings for each course and they paired wonderfully. For our meal all the wines were from Italy and we're styles we had not tried before. Service was really friendly. We did it with a group of 6 friends and had 8 other people with us. My only disappointment was really that we barely saw the bear. They meet you to walk over to the house. But then that night we saw him only twice more. You don't actually get to see him cooking any food either as he works in a kitchen that we can't see into. read more

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A super fun experience! Meet at Nolita Hall and get picked up by a bear! They will walk you across the street to a cute dining room where you will sit with strangers who become friends by the end of the night. (Make what you want of it.) 5 courses and 5 drink pairings with a friendly host. A fun date night for sure! We enjoyed the food 8/10 overall and the experience was a 9/10. read more

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Recently, I was lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy dinner at cow by bear. What a fun, memorable night it was. It really feels exclusive and like you are in on a big secret that few know about. After you make your reservations through a provided website and pay in advance, you get a confirmation stating they will let you know where to arrive prior to the event. I got my notification on a Tuesday before the Friday that I was set to have dinner. That gave me plenty of time to plan because parking can be a challenge in the area. My friend and I arrived at the meeting spot in Little Italy, about 45 minutes early. We were escorted into an area reserved for attendees and offered cocktails, wine or beer for an additional fee. As we sat there, other parties joined us. We got to introduce ourselves and chat a little bit before bear and her handler came over to get us. It was a wide mix of people, including several influencers. Bear led us across the street into the location where we were having dinner and her handlers explained the process. We walked in to a beautiful room with 2 ornately set stunning tables. 20 people, some of us acquainted, found our way to seats at the tables. We were welcomed with an amuse Bouche consisting of a crab hush puppy and refreshing cocktail. As we chatted with those all around us and snapped photos the dishes began to arrive. Each course of wine & food was explained in detail. First course was a squash dish with spiced pepitas and tahini . It was quite large and filling. It included a glass of Chardonnay I don't usually love Chardonnay but I enjoyed this one. Music filled the background as we ooohed at the presentations, chatted with each other and sipped our wine. The second course was a beautiful pasta dish with so much flavor and delicateness. It was porcini mushrooms with a Parmesan truffle cream sauce. My favorite dish of the night. It was paired with a glass of white wine. The third course was what they called a lamb cigar. It looked like an egg roll but inside were shreds of lamb. There was a dipping sauce, lemon to squeeze on it and fresh herbs. It had a lot of flavor. This was paired with a glass of red wine. The fourth course were two beautifully cooked pieces of filet mignon with pink peppercorn sauce, accompanied by 2 asparagus shoots and half a baked potato. All of it was flavorful and well seasoned. Paired with a glass of Cabernet. The final course of dessert was a spice cake with a pear cider on top and a lovely whipped cream. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and very delicious. It was paired with a cocktail that I enjoyed very much but I was very full at that point. Between courses, we got to know our table mates, had a lot of laughs and even some commonalities in friends and otherwise. It was a nice group of people, it seemed we all enjoyed our dinner and conversations. All in all, I had a really nice time and I would love to do it again in the future and bring other people to experience it. Plus the menu changes and I'd like to try other things too. read more

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This is something every San Diegan needs to do. The first time I heard about it was on a Netflix special. I couldn't believe I hadn't heard of it before! A 5 course dining experience + wine/cocktail or mocktail pairing cooked with seasonal, local ingredients all cooked by....a bear! Excellent concept. Great host. Fun secret location. read more

Ideal for that special occasion!! A great pairing, 5 fun different courses with 5 carefully chosen wines. Service on point, Ambiance fresh and reflective for an early summer night. Add a whimsical play list and fun conversation with strangers! The food: It was that one of a kind experience, my inner carnivore ready to snarf in a few bites. Alas, better to enjoy; bite, sip, bite, sip which took some discipline. Loved the adventure and looking forward for an occasion to return. read more

Cow By Bear - The finale! - Steakhouses Near Me

We had such a fun and memorable night here! The vibe is incredibly community-focused -- it really feels like you're part of something special. The food was absolutely beautiful and delicious, and the Bear Chef was so friendly and joyful. It made the whole evening feel celebratory and intimate. The 3 stars is mainly because of the cocktail hour ahead of time. We did attend the cocktail hour ahead of dinner (our friends even arranged for the sitter to come early so we could enjoy it fully). It was Valentine's Day and very busy, so we understand the high volume -- but we ended up sitting for over 30 minutes without our order being taken, not even served water. When we did finally order, we didn't even get to finish our one round of drinks before we had to leave. It was disappointing, especially since we had made an effort to arrive early for that experience. I'd suggest only offering the cocktail hour if the restaurant can realistically accommodate it during peak nights. At the dinner location, a few seats are directly in line with the air conditioner. We completely understand the need for airflow in a packed space, but we were absolutely frozen. The staff did turn in on and off for us but I would definitely recommend a jacket just in case. These were things that kept the evening from being truly outstanding -- because overall, it was special, delicious, and a really fun night. read more

Terrific experience with a lovely, inventive tasting menu paired with exciting wines. A truly memorable community experience, dining, meeting and conversing with super interesting individuals. I chose this as a gift for to my husband for our anniversary and would definitely do it again! read more

AMAZING!! We celebrated our 10 year anniversary and booked the entire evening for family and friends. We could not have been happier. Everything was perfect. read more

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Don't waste your money on this. The food was uninteresting and tasted like it had sat around for a while. The little house was cute and the concept sounded interesting but maybe for a third of the cost. I would not do it again, much better options to choose from. read more

I love an intimate dining experience and Cow by Bear was just that! Definitely a pricey dining adventure but I honestly loved every second of it. They have all of the guests meet at a location across the street prior to dinner and then the host and chef bear met us and walked us over to a location for the dinner. The table was absolutely stunning, I wish I could replicate it! The menu sounded amazing and I really loved every bite of food that we got. It was 5 courses total along with wine pairings for each. I really loved getting to be apart of this experience and the Spring menu looks amazing so I may have to splurge and do it again! I could go on and on but I will let it be a surprise for those who decide to join in on this intimate dinner. read more

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Such a fun and unique experience! Food was great, service was awesome, and the ambience was perfect. 10/10 recommend!

If I could give them a 100 star review I would. This was hands down the best dining and culinary experience I've ever had. Brought my husband here for his birthday and he was over the moon! Our host Melissa was phenomenal and explained every course and pairing so well. Chef Bear is a true talent, every dish we had blew our minds. We made new friends and had the best time. I can't recommend this place enough, if you're on the fence just do it! It's such a special place and a beautiful environment to dine in. I look forward to future visits here. read more

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I gifted this dinner by a friend and would 100% come again and bring friends and family! It's a one of a kind experience with amazing food and wine pairings in an intimate setting. A great way to make new friends and enjoy good food & drink in a new, exciting way! read more

What an amazing dining experience!!! We had no idea this place existed until we accidentally came across it on Tock while looking for sushi reservation. $195 for 5 course with wine pairing is really an excellent deal! Below were my favorites that night: Tomato and stone fruit burrata salad - so simple yet so delicious! Love that they use locally sourced ingredients. The whole dish tasted very fresh and summary. Flavors were well balanced with a nice kick from the chili. Halibut ceviche - my absolute favorite dish of the night! I like ceviche and orders them whenever I go. However, this is definitely one of the best I've had! The coconut milk is light, creamy and not over powering at all. Duck confit ravioli with ricotta filling - I mean... who doesn't love a homemade ravioli topped with lemon purée sauce and pecorino? SO who claims he doesn't like Italian food ate all of his and stole half of mine. They did a great job with the wine pairing as well! Instead of having one large communal table like they did in the past, they've now separated the groups into 3 different tables. We sat with another couple and had a great time throughout the night. Can't wait to go back again and try their fall menu! Thank you Chef Bear for a wonderful dinner! read more

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Bottom line, don't come here unless you are an absolute carnivore. My husband surprised me for my birthday with a dinner event for myself and 14 friends. I'm pescatarian. I grew up on a farm, and 10 year old me was left traumatized about where beef comes from. From uni to foie gras, that's the only non-foodie sticking point for me. Left to my own devices, I would have never chosen this place. I absolutely adore the idea of a pop up dinner, but this was the WORST meal I have had in years. My extraordinarily overpriced 40th birthday entrée was basically just raw cauliflower with a very aesthetically pleasing window dressing. After so many years in operation, I am appalled they only have a strictly vegan and non vegan menu options. I wish I could tell you that the overall experience made up for it, but the first courses were mediocre at best. At a minimum, I thought we could linger on their back patio. As soon as desert was cleared, we were pushed out across the street back to Nolita. This place was an epic disappointment. I LOVE a good foodie experience, but this was not it. read more

I wanted to love this but the food was just not my thing. The team was so friendly, fun and knowledgeable and the atmosphere was casual elegance so it earned 3 stars. I've never had a multi course meal paired with mixed drinks- but this was my experience here. I was very hesitant to mix so many different liquors in the same sitting so most of my drinks were tried but not consumed. By the end of evening I had received 6 full sized drinks- just 2 of them wine- mixing gin, whiskey, and tequila among others. I know they change up the menu and pairings frequently- unfortunately this was just a miss for me. read more

The staff is very friendly and the service is 5 star. The food was not enjoyable IMO and there's nothing to substitute for an item that's unappealing. I wouldn't come here again by choice. read more

I have been to CXB a few times and must express how much fun these dinners are. It's an amazing experience to meet new people while sharing an excellent meal. The food and wine pairings are wonderful and definitely get the conversations flowing. The staff are all so friendly and create a fun atmosphere. I recommend for a special occasion or just a night out to try something different and enjoy the fun and delicious food. read more

This was a fun & intimate experience. Was really interesting to dine with other strangers who are also foodies! Service was great, staff were very friendly & personable & the setting was beautiful, sunset, outdoor space with Photo Booth & the atmosphere was very welcoming. But the food!! Everything on the menu along with wine pairings were impeccable. To start we had a hush puppy amuse on top of goddess aioli paired with Riesling. Then we had the garden watermelon salad, which offered a variety of different textures which I really appreciated, paired with rosè. Then we had ricotta raviolo with asparagus & peas paired with Chardonnay. Then I had a squash roulade on top of forbidden rice paired with Pinot noir. (I had the vegetarian option, but the offered dish was chicken & pork roulade). Then I had the mushroom steak with potato pavè paired with bordeaux. (Again, vegetarian option so the offered dish was ribeye). Then for dessert we had panna cotta paired with a delicious drink-matcha milk punch. 10/10 would highly recommend & will definitely be returning for another dining experience! read more

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Cow By Bear has been one of those dining experiences that I've been eyeing for a while and finally had the opportunity to attend when they finally reopened after being closed for most of the last year and a half. Reservations are required and made on Tock where you prepay for your meal. It was $390 for two, including tax and gratuity. 24 hours before your reservation, the location is disclosed and you're escorted in by a host and by Chef Bear. The food was mostly locally sourced, creative, and not overly filling. We enjoyed every bite. Wine pairings were OK. We started out with an aperol cocktail, then a couple of white, and finished with a red. Not really a fan of any of the drinks. I wish there was a champagne or a cocktail to accompany the dessert because the meal felt slightly incomplete. The experience was unique - you're seated with strangers (unless you go with a larger party) but most guests came as couples and were all pretty friendly and more talkative as the wine flowed. Nearly everyone there was celebrating something so they brought out multiple candles for birthdays and a couple of confetti poppers for our anniversary. At the end of the dinner, Chef Bear comes out and poses for pictures. Fun experience! read more

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Amazing. It's not a meal, it's an experience. I was lucky enough to be served by Bear JR on his first run. I am not a seafood enjoyer but I trusted him and was so glad I did. First time ever eating a few seafood items especially scallops. Absolutely delicious. A creative taco that surprised and amazed me. A wonderful experience from beginning to end for everyone attending. I suggest going in knowing nothing and just have a blast. read more

Wow! What a great dining experience! I've never done anything like this before and I'm so glad I did! I first heard of Cow by Bear on the Netflix show Fresh, Fried, and Crispy. As they did a San Diego episode. This is a reservation only, prepaid, 5 course experience. I believe there are usually 12 people at each seated dinner. The one I went to was the special Waygu and Whiskey tasting. I snagged the last ticket and went by myself. There were 20 of us. The dinner is $195 ($200 for the Waygu dinner) and that includes tip and service fee. The dinner location is revealed a day before. Our dinner was at Nolita Hall's event space, what a cute space it is! It has a very indoor/outdoor feel and newly renovated. I was greeted by super friendly staff who gave me a glass of sparkling wine and didn't make me feel weird about being by myself. Each of the five courses were made up of Waygu beef in some way and had a whiskey to go with it, which the whiskey connoisseur described to us. Bear's interpreter chef explained each of the courses to us as well. The first course was a Waygu tartar, delicious! Really great start. The second course was Waygu brisket Kansas style. Oh wow! This was super tasty! I totally forgot to take a proper picture. The third course was Ribeye ebds stroganoff. This was super delicious, seasoned well, full of flavor. I think everyone at the table were all saying "mmmm" a lot! The fourth course was amazing! It was an A5 Waygu filet with a sherry sauce, potato purée, and carrot. Oh man this was so good! I've never had a proper Waygu filet before and wow, so good! The fifth course was Waygu fat turned in to ice cream and their take on a banana split, it had banana and chocolate as well. This was super tasty! And Bear comes around at the end for pictures. Overall this was such an amazing experience, I got to know a couple of the strangers sitting next to me. We connected on the same love of great food. I can't wait to come back with a couple of friends to share this experience. Well done! read more

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Yelp, thanks, WOW for my birthday gifts Cow By Bear! Lol glad my husband returned the favor and took me for the full dinner! Great couples on Valentines'd Day made the atmosphere even better than brunch on the holiday! No need to say more...go, take your loved one and show them one of the best special occasion places the city has to offer! Cheers! read more

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A unique, 'in-the-wild' dining experience for 14 at a mystery location somewhere in San Diego. A world-class multi-course food and wine tasting, curated by an anonymous chef / Bear de Cuisine... Beautifully lit candles, a just-in-case blanket on the chair-back, and a Polaroid camera for those that dropped in from the 80's to take pictures. Well-crafted dishes featuring the best cuts of beef, an iPad playing background music, new friends. What's not to like? But why is the chef, a bear? How did this unique culinary event come to be? The following 'found footage' transcript of an interview for their Chef de Cuisine job opening... may shed some light: [Bear approaches job interviewer's desk, shakes hands/claws, and takes a seat.] BEAR: "I wanted to come up with a clever story of why you should hire a Bear for Chef de Cuisine. I wanted it to demonstrate qualities that my cousin 'Smokey' has: diligence, honesty, teamwork, etc.. But the truth is, I'm here because there aren't many options out there for a furry bear. I was 'downsized' from the zoo to make room for Koalas-- who aren't even real bears!" INTERVIEWER: "I see. Moving on, we came up with a few questions that you may find a little strange." BEAR: "No judgment here, human friend... shoot! I mean, continue..." INTERVIEWER: "Tell me about yourself. How would you describe 'Bear' in three words?" BEAR: "hmmm. Hard-working; love foreign films; que será, será... I regularly read The New Yorker; and... merciless." INTERVIEWER: "Let's say you show up for work one day and notice a fire in the kitchen. What steps would you take to mitigate the situation?" BEAR: "Uhhh... fucking BIG ones!? You see, unlike Smokey-- I have a crippling fear of uncontrolled fire!" INTERVIEWER: "Do you have any weaknesses?" BEAR: [shaking head emphatically no] "Well. I am a bit of a perfectionist, actually. For me, it's got to be the best, or it's nothing at all. What else... I'm not a fast learner. Not a good listener... And I need time off... say November to January... to hiberna--- I mean recharge." INTERVIEWER: "What was the worst part about your last job". BEAR: "Oh, that's easy. At the Zoo there are 'escalators'. Nothing like it in nature. Stay put, my tiny stairs... S-C-A-R-Y-" INTERVIEWER: "I noticed that you have no training, education, or experience in a restaurant kitchen." BEAR: "Nope, not in an actual kitchen. But I am very connected with the earth and nature's kitchen. I've had to work really hard for food, my entire life. To snatch a live salmon out of the water, or to make sure vegetation I eat doesn't kill me. And I'm a big fan of money. I like it. I use it. I have a little that I keep in a jar on top of the frig. I'd like to put more in that jar. That's where you come in." INTERVIEWER: "Well, I like you, bear. You have the same color hair as me. You seem quirky and cool. And dressing like a bear! What a hilarious, poignant comment on the superficial nature of this whole interview process!!! Unless, you're like... the weirdest person ever and I just don't see it... you are hired!" BEAR: "And... you do realize that I am an actual--- bear--- bare-ly able to hold my excitement! When can I start?!?"... Note/full disclosure: Bear is totally a bear and totally not a human who cooks in a bear costume. read more

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We waited 6 years for this. True story. So, there was some anticipation, but we didn't know what to expect. When you hear "5 courses" and "wine parings" and "wagu" and "intimate setting" and "small group".. the bar seems pretty high, if, almost just something too fancy for, us. Then, add in a mystery location. A person dressed in a bear costume. Tons of references to bears. We were nervous, wondering if we had been 'got', wondering if we'd fallen down some internet hype rabbit hole, or.. who knows what. But, it turned out to be - awesome. The food was great. The service was great. The atmosphere was great. The people were great. Put it all together, and it was, by far, the best meal experience we've ever had. Bear had us at the salad. Locally sourced, but insanely creative, superb contrast and blend of flavors. Move through the menu, the curry, the steak.. and culminating in a desert that was equal parts sublime and superior. The wine parings were key, and none of them missed the mark, at all. Our fellow guest were as varied as it gets, yet, we had great conversation, laughed and enjoyed our way through the meal. The courses were time spaced apart just at the right interval. You never had a plate pulled early, there was never a rush to finish when the next course came out. There's not really a way to put this meal into perspective and classification except to say the cliché "it was an experience". Literally, all things went right, were right and came out great. If you're looking at this, saying to yourself "dinner by someone in a bear costume at a secret location.. sounds like a gimmick".. sure, the bear costume grabs some attention. But you can only go so far with a costume. This is the ideal meal experience for a special occasion, to celebrate with friends, to try something new... really, it's an experience that becomes a tiny legend in your life that you'll tell people about and relegate that you went. Superbly good food, great company, unique style - awesome experience. How awesome? We're framing the polaroid photo. read more

So, yea, it's expensive. But is it worth the money, ABSOLUTELY! It's a several course meal (brunch anyway) with some cocktails/wine pairing. It is a lot of food, but the portions are great so you hit that "just right" spot. It's a great way to meet new people and connect. We went for brunch, because the dinner reservations were far out into October (which we have planned for). So. Good. The flavor profiles and combinations were amazing (horseradish granita anyone?), the pork belly and short rib---OMFG like Earth shattering tender and tasteful. The space in itself is to die for, can I just live here? The staff are friendly too! Do it. At least once. read more

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Cow by bear Salad - very light, just a little tangy. The avacado paste was mixed with some cream I think and kept the whole starter light. Amazing palette cleanser due to the jicama Paired with a Paloma - quite tangy and not a strong drink. Good mix The scallops had a nice spicy salads underneath. Strong spice and pomegranate to mix in some sweet notes with the scallops Paired with a savignon blanc - very little sourness which is typical of this kind of wine. Perfect pairing since it also quenches the Spicey Chile verde tamale (chicken) Crispy!! And unique. It's just fried enough - maybe they pan fried it? But not too heavy and wonderful to eat. The sauce underneath was a mild foamed flavor that added to the complex tamale mouth feel. I can't believe I am even saying this about tamales. The rose that was paired with it was not sparkling. It was just a little sweet and ends with a butter note. Perfect for a chicken dish. Braised short rib with negra mole. Mole was top tier - on par with some that I had in Mexico City! Amazing food. The braised short rib was so soft and easy to pull apart. We also had fresh tortillas at the table and making my own little tacos was amazing. The rice mix with mole and the soft meat was a nice finisher to the savory meal. ALSO, a mention must go to the red wine. It was an amazing 2015 Cabernet-Savignon that had absolutely no tannins. There was no sourness and it kept a light feel. Absolutely amazing food. Guava and sweet cream pan Perfect crunchiness and dry pastry feeling. The ice cream was more a coconut flavor - similar time a jaupia cream. Great way to finish the night food wise. I'll be honest, I had no idea what to expect with this meal. It was a great, wonderful intimate experience. We had a great time dining and making new friends this night. You can't get better than this experience and I am definitely coming back for the next series. read more

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Rewind back to the great PNW Heat Wave of 2021. My husband and I needed something that would capture our interest when our house was 91 degrees inside, and we found Fresh, Fried and Crispy, and were immediately entertained by the idea of a secret dinner party served by a Bear in San Diego. Like any normal people, we planned a trip from Seattle to San Diego to meet Chef Bear. A last minute address was sent to us to an unassuming fence in a cute neighborhood downtown. What happened next was such a fun and delicious evening. We got to meet our fantastic dinner guests - we all warmed up as the wine flowed through. Bear's Handlers (the servers), were also genuine, warm, friendly and teriffic hosts. The food was phenomenal - every course was delicious, locally inspired and delicious. And unlike most 5 course meals that are more plate than actual food, we left full, happy, and grateful that we had an uber home. Our friends thought we were a bit nuts to plan a 4 day weekend around Chef Bear, but as I look at the polaroid framed in our house, we would absolutely do it again. Thank you, Chef Bear, and Bear's handlers! read more

*** Brunch by Bear *** review I'm seeing someone who earnestly tries to find new food adventures for dates. I was surprised when he said he got into a brunch event at a pop up named Cow By Bear. I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly but he repeated: "Cow (like MOOOOOO). By. Bear (like ROOOARRRR)". Ok. Real funny. His sense of humor and sarcasm is endearing. After researching though, it appeared this pop up restaurant is extremely popular and sells out months in advance for their dinners. Did I mention these dinners cost $150 per person. Well, they now offer Sunday Brunch for $100 per person. I tried to reason with friend that $100 for brunch was too much but he insisted we had to try Cow By Bear. Besides, the tickets are non refundable. You are given the destination address the day before the brunch. The brunch is from 10:30a-1:30p. The location for this brunch was in Little Italy that morning. I think there's a 14 person max per event so a few of us were waiting in front of this building before Bear and his hostess appeared. The menu was broken down into six 'courses': arrival, snack, first, second, main, and dessert. The courses are paired with alcohol. CHERRY & VANILLA SCONES: WINTER JAM + FRUIT + CHEESE: - The first course was this shared cheese platter. The scones were home made and there were a variety of cheeses as well as apples, grapes, and dried figs. There's also a small serving of honey. HEN IN A BLANKET: COFFEE BUTTER + WHIPPED MAPLE SYRUP: - The hostess came out with a tray of these hen in a blanket. I think it was a chicken sausage wrapped in phyllo dough. The sausage was sweet (which I didn't like) and the dough was a little under baked. I didn't enjoy the maple whipped cream as it had the consistency of marshmallow fluff. GRANOLA & GOAT CHEESE ICE CREAM: PEARS + POMEGRANATE SEEDS + HONEY VINAIGRETTE: - I don't eat goat cheese often but tried the goat cheese ice cream in this granola dish. We all commented how it was unique to eat granola with cold ice cream on top. The goat cheese ice cream was smooth. The granola was a bit bland but added a nice texture to this dish. BEAR MADE BAGEL BOMB: STUFFED W/ CREAM CHEESE + CURED SALMON + MIXED GREEN SALAD: - The dish was beautifully plated with sliced lox and a warm bun. Friend made me a smoked salmon bagel bomb sandwich. Impressive date move. ROSEMARY & PARM PORRIDGE RISOTTO: PORK TENDERLOIN + PISTACHIO + PICKLED GOLDEN RAISINS + APPLE MOSTARDA + HOME FRIES: - The pork tenderloin was simply beautiful when it arrived. The medium rareness took my breath away. I've seen restaurants attempt to present a medium/medium rare pork tenderloin but many fail and cook the meat well done. This tenderloin was tender but could have benefited from being served warmer. Unfortunately, the porridge risotto was not as successful. You envision porridge to be smooth and for risotto to be creamy. It had the texture and consistency of almost oatmeal (we determined this when a few of us met at Ballast Point afterwards). The risotto was barely lukewarm so the shaved parm on top didn't melt. BLACK COCOA & COFFEE CAKE: MARSCARPONE GANACHE + CHERRY GEL: - The dessert came just a few minutes before the three hour mark. It was a cute presentation of the cake. The cake batter looked microwaved (not a bad thing) and was nicely fluffy. I didn't think I'd enjoy three hours at an intimate dinner table with complete strangers. The table ended up conversing with mostly their halves of the table section. Our half shared lots of laughter and stories. We were lucky that everyone was ridiculously personable and friendly. I can see the 'social experiment' factor with these pop ups as it allows one to see how they interact with complete strangers over food. Overall, the experience was fun. Was it worth $100-per-person- fun? Not in my opinion. Date and I didn't think we'd be up for the $150/pp dinner option but a few table mates said they'd be curious about it. I am not sure if the hype is about the food or about the concept (which might be considered a brilliant marketing strategy). I believe their pop up brunch is new so perhaps they're still working on perfecting the dishes. Regardless, I was blessed with a date who took the time to research and find this pop up. I'd recommend this Brunch if it's within your budget and you're looking for a new breakfast adventure. Visit my food blog for more detailed review and pics of this brunch Summary: Beautiful ambiance, cool people, well paced brunch but food could have been better executed read more

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My daughters and I attended this unique dining experience last night. We didn't know what to expect because none of us read the reviews, but we were more than pleasantly surprised. The venue, only disclosed the night before, was lovely. The outdoor area was perfect for the initial greeting of photos and champagne. The dining room was inviting and decorated with care and attention to detail-- a lovely ambience to enjoy a special meal with friends. I enjoy fine wine, and the wine pairings were excellent-- complex and original. My favorite dish of the evening was the tomato and stone fruit burrata salad with pickled Fresno chiles placed over a puree of arugula. It was one singular sensation! I need this recipe. And finally, the friendly staff worked seamlessly together to make the dinner unforgettable. WOW by Bear! read more

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Cow By Bear was a very unique dining experience! It was the first 5 course dinner I have ever attended and it did not disappoint! Everything from the secret location reveal 24 hours prior to the dinner to the chef preparing the food in a bear costume just really added to the experience! I dined solo, but it was great for couples and groups and the community table allowed for a social setting. The price point was fair based on the courses and wine served. It's definitely a splurge but something worth trying once! read more

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This is worth the money and the trip, just for the experience; the food is the icing on the cake. If you love wine, appreciate pairings, and can go with the flow about what you eat and how it's prepared, then you'll love it. There were 14 diners total, and the menu was French. It was nice to meet new people, and dine together to enjoy a common experience. However, it would be amazing with friends. Fantastic pairings! Watch your pre-partying because the pours are generous. Another review stated they weren't big enough. They are perfect. The service is perfection, and Bear was gracious and lovable. Chef Bear even went back to the kitchen and returned with the bottle so that I could read the label. We snapped photos, too. The Bear part is weirdly endearing. As for the food, I'm super picky about my meat being medium plus, but it all worked out when the woman next to me offered to trade to make us both happier. Otherwise, I'm not sure I could have eaten it. Also, I don't like lamb, but I ate the lamb loin all up, delicious. That's fine cooking! It's really a must-do experience. read more

I woke up on Saturday morning and had to take a few minutes to collect myself from a dream I had. I do realize that I have a pretty wild imagination and pride myself on being creative, but even this dream had me scratching my head with amazement. Let's face it, a bear cooking me dinner... correction, a bear cooking me a meal of epic proportions all while never speaking a word or revealing his/her true identity surely is not reality. Or is it? The dream took place in a warehouse that doubles as a coffee shop in the day and a five star restaurant at night. Not every night and certainly not all night, but rather only Friday and Saturday between the hours of 8:00 and 10:30pm. There is no hostess at the door and in fact reservations need to be made months in advance or else you're not getting in this exclusive affair. I was casually seated at a single table with nine other people. Fast forwarding a bit, some were strangers to start but all were friends by the end. The journey began with a few small bites of crispy garbanzo beans, a sausage/pepper croute and a signature rum cocktail to whet the whistle before leading into course number one, a fennel and citrus salad with a glass of tasty Albarino. I take it all in as it's bitter, sour, fragrant and neatly dressed. A salad like this is sturdy, sophisticated and not capable of being built in my kitchen at home - all served by the bear's trusty assistant. The bear and his/her partner in crime appears once again, toying with the table, reveling in the praise from my dining companions and baring gifts. This time it was a hefty bowl of potato, kale and black garlic oil soup. This soup was deep with flavor and slurp-worthy. As a self-declared soup fanatic, a soup sans protein is only delicious in my wildest dreams. Am I dreaming? Well, these flavors are leaving me further convinced that I just may be especially going sip for sip with a tall pour of Argentinian Malbec. At this point we know that this magical bear has some skills, but let's face it, we're not here for soup and salad. You want to really make some dreams come true, bear? Cook me a steak. Not just your average deli case strip of red meat but rather a cut that's not easily forgotten and guaranteed to send me to war with gout. Dry age that beef, bear. Not for 18 days, 25 days, 32 days or even 40. If you age that cut of cow for 50 days I'll gladly pay the equivalent of the Lindbergh baby's ransom for a bite, but seeing that this is a dream I'll shoot for the stars and request a slab for myself. Minutes later I'd find myself eye to eye with a piece of medium-rare perfection and realizing that some dreams really must come true. For some it's a night on a beach rolling in the sand with, Olivia Wilde, but for me it's this steak and a glass of French wine. We wrap this dream with a delicious dessert and a curtain call from the bear. Knowing that this story may sound so strange, so far fetched and so oddly unbelievable, it dawns on me that I should figure out a way to document the experience my mind had just conjured up. Was I dreaming after all? Well, consider this review the evidence and pictures don't lie, friends. You decide. read more

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Last night was the most unique dining experience I have ever had. I have to say: if you are accustomed to five diamond / Michelin 3-starred dinners, this is probably not for you. But if you're looking for a cool experience that's unlike anything you've ever done before, you won't be disappointed. Everyone started congregating in front of a house at a secret location, they opened the door and we were greeted by Bear. We were seated at one large communal table and got a cocktail right away. There were a lot of cool details from the decor of the room to the table wares. Our one and only server for the evening was really upbeat/cool and super efficient... it really takes some talent to get everyone's food and drinks out quickly and she did a great job. She also took photos for people, helped Bear in and out of the kitchen and made sure everyone was socializing and having fun. So she was a rockstar. Every course had a wine pairing and all of the wine was organic and biodynamic. We got to try varietals we had never heard of before. The pours are generous and you may ask for more if you like. You will not be without a drink for the entire night!!! The cheese stuffed squash blossoms they brought out right in the beginning were super bomb. The first course was a crab salad which was tasty. The second course was an asparagus soup with crispy prosciutto and goat cheese. This was delicious but could have been just a touch warmer. The only course I wasn't super excited about was the pasta: it was missing some wow factor and was the only thing I didn't finish. But who wants to fill up on pasta when you're about to eat a dry aged ribeye. It was melt -in -your- mouth delicious but definitely could have been a larger portion-wise. Bear came out a few times for photo ops, and everyone got to take a Polaroid picture with Bear :) We all took shots of rum and there was tons of laughter throughout the evening. Desert then came out, along with some champagne. It was an almond cake with honeycomb and peaches. Again, the portion here was a bit on the small side, and I would have liked to see a more seasonally appropriate choice for this course. The coolest thing about this is experience was enjoying food and wine with total strangers. My boyfriend and I really hit it off at our end of the table with two other couples - and I think the best part of the evening was leaving with four great new friends. I would recommend Cow By Bear to anyone with a little adventure in them :) read more

Wow! That was the best dinner ever since I have ever had. First off, my group and I had no idea where we were supposed to go. They emailed us the night before. We headed down to the location, and there was no sign. But once 8 pm hit, the door opened and we saw a very nice lady and Bear. The place was beautifully decorated. We were immediately greeted and welcomed in like family. Our food was AMAZING and all the drinks were on par, pairing well with our foods. Each dish was so thoughtfully presented, and every ingredient enhanced the overall dish flavor. This experience was 2.5 hours. Please see the photos of the menu, and the food. Everything was just on point. read more

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Last night was the best experience I've ever had at a dinner party. My husband has been talking about this place since we met but I never really looked into it. 2 weeks ago we were lucky enough to get reservations due to a cancellation. Unfortunately we were a little late since it's Ramadan and our prayer time started at 7:51pm. We were supposed to be there at 8pm but arrived at 8:15pm which I don't recommend since we missed the introduction and everyone was already eating. We knocked on the locked door and were kindly greeted by our host and everyone there. From the silverware and glass bear water jar to the arrangements and Polaroid camera, the ambiance and vibes sitting with a bunch of great people is something every restaurant should strive for. The food was out of this world. Every course came with a drink and even though we don't drink alcohol our friends were raving about how complimentary the pairing was. The crab salad with old bay dressing was my favorite. Each course to follow was well spaced out and the portions were perfect. I'm not a big meat eater and follow a vegan diet most days but last night was an exception. The 45 day aged ribeye was spectacular. All the flavors and the potatoes melded perfectly. Our dessert was the perfect end to an amazing night. I never thought having a Bear cook Cow for dinner would be so good. It was definitely worth every penny. I do recommend letting them know if you have food allergies so they can prepare ahead like they so kindly did for us. The only thing I wish is that Ossa (the Bear) had a vegan cousin that did pop up dinners; Plant by Bear. Other than that we love love love this place. read more

This dining experience was very strange and overall a huge disappointment. My husband had mentioned this idea to me a few years before I actually committed to the outrageous price tag. I only say outrageous because the whole experience just does not live up to to what it costs. We were given a location on India Street in Little Italy and arrived at the residence promptly by 7:00 pm. Doors were open and we were greeted right away and told where to sit. The greeting seemed rushed. We were ushered to a table and then given champagne and an appetizer. There was a mix up with the table next to us and our table so the couple next to my husband and I received two different appetizers. It was confusing, and a young woman who seemed to be in charge of the organization of things seemed flustered. Next course came out pretty quickly after the appetizer. It was a tomato salad with burrata and wasn't that impressive. It seemed to have been plated and sitting for awhile. But more disappointing than the taste of the food was the explanation of it. A woman sous chef came out with each course and in a hundred words or less explained exactly what we could already gather from looking at the plate. She didn't engage the audience, half the crowd wasn't paying attention, and she honestly appeared to want to finish her explanation and go back to the kitchen. It was pretty disappointing. Did nothing to enhance the "dining experience" but did make the experience more awkward because you could feel a lack of connection between the cook and the courses. Third course was a halibut ceviche in a coconut milk, Thai style. It just didn't work together, the flavors were not good together but we made the best of it. This course took longer, wine was poured and we waited. The length between courses appeared to have no fluidity. Fourth course was the cow dish, wagyu mbeef. It was served room temperature even cold. I know it's best cooked cold but it was served cold too which neither my husband nor myself enjoyed because the fat was hardened and cold. By this course it was evident that the lady in charge of organizing and speaking throughout the event was inebriated. She was slurring through her explanations and making jokes but none of it was entertaining. Not to mention that another young lady who was working for Cow by Bear came around a few times and seemed to promote herself to our table. She mentioned she was going to take over the business. It was awkward. Last course was a sorbet served with a dessert wine. Nothing impressive, just lack luster. The whole experience was again strange. It didn't seem well put together, the staff seemed to struggle to work together well, and the food was lacking. Overall, I couldn't recommend this experience to anyone because it failed in all areas. read more

Went to dinner last night at Cow By Bear. Given that the location is unknown until 24hrs prior, it added some mystery to what we were getting ourselves into however the location was nice and from what I've gathered from some repeat customers last night, the location hasn't changed the last 4 times they've attended. With that........the location isn't what people want to hear about. Ambience. Location was cute and very well decorated, elegant appearance without being too fancy. Dress Code. No dress code, some people were super casual, others were more dressed up. I wore a pair of nice dark jeans, a collar shirt and a sport blazer and was the dressiest person there. Polos and jeans are about as most people were, one guy was even wearing a baseball cap. Alcohol. Included in the price of admission, and they aren't shy with it (you will leave with a buzz so Uber/Lyft). Each meal came with a different drink. Our first one was a bourbon cocktail of sorts, followed by a nice glass of red wine, followed by an Argentinian shot, followed by two more glasses of wine which included a dessert wine. Food. I'm somewhat picky and the food was spectacular, I ate everything they served during the 5 course meal. The real star of the show is the meat however. We had American Wagyu beef shoulder and it literally melted in your mouth. The chef definitely knows what they are doing. Service. There is one person working the dining room table (Arial) and she was phenomenal. Very nice, old school manners (women were always served first, which I loved) and just a gem to be around. Guest. This is a table for 14 people, family style. If you're anti-social and dont like to talk to new people this isn't the place for you. We thoroughly enjoyed the people we sat near and had fun sharing the evening with them. In closing, 5-stars across the board. The only thing that's weird about the dining experience but also fun at the same time is "THE BEAR" who does make a few experiences throughout the dinner for pics. I think this place would be just as good without the Bear, but that's the product they are selling is COW BY BEAR so if it works, run with it I guess. read more