We went for my best friends's wedding rehearsal dinner. We had about 13 people, which can already be difficult for a restaurant to prepare for. However, they were more than accommodating. Also, we booked the reservation for 7:30 PM and, even though they closed at 8 PM, they still graciously accepted my reservation and provided us with the most outstanding service. I ordered the low country skillet, which was like a seafood boil with sausage on top of cheesy grits with a side of green beans. It was delicious and hearty. I recommend ordering this dish, especially since our server deemed it as one of the restaurants signature dishes. I also had a glass of Malbec red wine, pair of quite nicely with my meal. One of the other guests ordered the corn dip, which had a side of pita chips to dip into. The corn dip was slightly thick and sweet, with a few slices of avocado sitting on top. Also delicious. Highly recommend this place if you are craving a New American cuisine with a southern twist. read more

The White Dog Bistro - Low country skillet - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

Room we were seated reminded me of some of those in the Pink House in Savannah. Seats comfortable and food reasonably priced. Got the stare down by 2 ladies sitting close by. Lots of elderly women in Mathews. Guys must be out fishing or hunting or moved on. She liked her Gazpacho and N'awlins salad. My martini was under $12 a pop which is nice break from the city. I would have liked more crust on my scallops and the soba accompaniment was over cooked and I couldn't eat much of it. A gluey mush. Overall was OK and would return but order something else. read more

Everything we had was really fresh. I would've ordered the curry for next time. I came for a birthday and it was such a lovely intimate restaurant. We ordered a few appetizers and entrées and everyone pretty much enjoyed their meal. I do feel like the flounder was a little bit undersea, but everything else was pretty good. The service is also pretty good. It felt very homey yet elegant read more

The White Dog Bistro - Flounder and crab with a lobster butter sauce - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

We were are in Mathews, Virginia for our anniversary. A rural village an hour from the closest major city and the chef knows how to prepare tasty, creative dishes. We had the Appalachian salad to start- fresh and tangy. I had pheasant sausages and duck. My husband had the surf and turf- crab cake and small filet. Our side were the same- mashed potatoes and rote kohl. My dish also had a very tasty garnish of onions and blueberries. It was all prepared well and with the pheasant sausage they offered something I would have trouble finding elsewhere. Dessert was good- the Sinatra, a limoncello cake, and coffee. Portions were on target. I hate to leave food and always need to take a togo box. Not here and I left pleasantly satiated. Tables were a little too close to one another for my taste, making less romantic than I would have liked on this night. Our server made up for this minor flaw, as she was personable, attentive, and accommodating. Fun cocktail menu. read more

The White Dog Bistro - Pheasant sausage and duck- very yummy - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

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The food is absolutely the best creativity and presentation . The staff are pleasant and quite knowledgeable of the menu items. Linda

Food excellent- service impeccable and the ambiance warm and inviting!! I recommend White Dog 100%!!

What a lovely time we had at White Dog Bistro! We have been meaning to go there for a while and our wedding anniversary weekend was the perfect reason to make plans to go. Beautiful setting. Relaxing atmosphere. Outstanding menu. Just like a special occasion dinner should be. After a couple of smart cocktails in the bar, our table was ready. There were a number of lovely specials, which DH decided to have. I decided on two items from the regular menu. DH had the Salade Francaise and the Seafood Maison, which was a medley of shrimp, scallops and crab in a delicate cream sauce served over pasta. From the bite I was able to steal, it was delicious. I had the Crab and Crawfish puppies (which comes with a dollop of pimento cheese, y'all!) and the Scallops Beurre Rouge served with a basil risotto. Both were outstanding. After all this food, I was too full for dessert. But if I could have managed, I would have ordered that key lime cheesecake (blood orange coulis and blueberries!). A beautiful evening all around! read more

What a great experience! The food, the atmosphere, and the staff. First, we are foodies - we love to cook and eat!!! I say that so when I start talking about how much we ate, you judge lightly . There were 4 of us, so we ordered 4 apps. We all agreed the Escargot and the Calamari were excellent!!! The escargot was buttery and garlicky and tender - on point. And, out of shell - very interesting and easy to eat. The calamari was tender and crispy and prepared perfectly, not too much batter! The fried green tomatoes are a must for me anywhere. They were good and prepared well - the sauce (aioli) was the star. We were disappointed in the "hush puppies" - the batter was a little too moist (not underdone though) for all our tastes. Entree's: we all sampled each other's. The Sake Pan- Seared Duck was amazing! That crispy skin!!!! The boar on the Huntsman's Feast was my favorite- melt in your mouth! The Grits dish was delicious- the shrimp, scallops, and gator sausage each was prepared perfectly. The grits were a little loose for my preference but the flavor was -I'll say again- delicious. The peppercorn steak was overshadowed by everything else. The bread - GET IT - prepared to order and the lavender honey butter - I could have eaten a pound with that amazing bread. Great prices on wine selections, too. I will definitely be back! read more

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The White Dog Bistro never fails to impress me. The atmosphere is very nice, the menu is creative, the food is top-notch, and the service is always excellent. read more

This place was amazing. The atmosphere was relaxed yet upscale. The staff were friendly and accommodating. The food was fantastic and did not disappoint. I'm a bit of a picky eater but everything from the honey lavender butter to the octopus salad was delicious. Would definitely go again and highly recommend. Absolutely beautifully plated meals. Each dish was delicious! Huge variety of beverages! It was just such a lovely, special experience. Can't wait for summer ! Having just relocated to Mathews this is a hidden gem which I'm planning on becoming a regular . read more

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Where do I begin. This restaurant is one of the best I have been to. I don't cook much so I dine out a lot. And I'm picky. If I'm going to spend the money I want it to be a good experience all the way around. And that's what White Dog Bistro is!!! The food is absolutely some of the best I have had. The menu has something for everyone. The staff is very good. They are friendly, they know the menu, and they are always happy to make suggestions. And you cannot beat the atmosphere. It is a cozy historic home, that makes you feel welcomed from the moment you walk in. There are fireplaces in each of the main dining areas, and the decor is of the period. Do yourself a favor and put this on your list to try! read more

My parents love going to The White Dog Bistro! I decided to get a gift certificate for them for a birthday, but I am not local. I called and Amanda made everything so easy. She took my payment information over the phone and then offered to hand deliver the gift since they are local!!! She texted me a picture of the gift card and handled everything. This kind of customer service is just unheard of these days. I highly recommend this establishment and these business owners. What a rare find! read more

The White Dog Bistro - Amanda hand delivered this gift card for me! - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

Listen.....get here now!!!! My husband surprised me with a trip to Mathews County and we had dinner here. First, I'm an avid supporter of local economy meaning I really love to support mom and pop shops vs. big box retail/chain restaurants. I felt that dining here was directly supporting the husband and wife's dream. And let me tell you---what a team. The wife was delightful and the husband/chef was a joy and extremely talented. What a great team. The ambiance (we sat right in front of the fireplace), the decor, the small details like the ceiling molding, the willingness to accommodate just about any request......this place is amazeballs!!!! OMG...the food!!! I started with the Florribbean chowder. OMG it was so freaking good. Every bite was an explosion of joy. It was good as I don't know what. My husband had a Caesar salad that was equally delicious and very fresh! We had an amuse bouche of a cracker with fig and cheese. That started the dining adventure in a great way. My main course was scallops and risotto. Superb. My husband had the shrimp with pasta (forgot the name of the dish). He left nothing on his plate. Ohhhh what a joy to spend money and feel like it was a great investment. Not just the food alone; the service was impeccable. This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. It's three hours away for me but I'll be back with the entire family. I could see myself hosting a private event here to celebrate something special. read more

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My three friends and I just had a wonderful New Year's Eve dinner at the White Dog. Every one of the five courses was delicious and the server was very friendly and attentive. The lobster. Issue was particularly rich and tasty - full of bits of lobster and the pecan pie with va Lila ice cream was outstanding too. I highly recommend. read more

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Arrived for our 11:30 brunch reservation, no hostess...wandered around in the frigid area for not quite 5 mins, the hostess arrived and seated us Apparently, no central air here, as we were seated directly across from a loud window unit.... Menu was pretty decadent, and many entrees had either alligator, boar or crawfish in them, so if that isn't your thing.... Had the escargot as an appy , decadent and delicious! For entrees, our group had the creole crab cakes, bayou Benedict, melon salad, and grill are grits. The crab cakes were served with a sweet-ish tartare sauce and 'sesame' rice. Crab cakes were delicious, but the rice was OFF. When the waitress asked how everything was, we made a comment about the rice, the chef/owner/? Came out to assure us the rice was 'fresh'. Besides feeling intimidated, our concern wasn't that the rice wasn't fresh, but it had an off odor (and inedible taste). The owner then said that maybe we weren't used to the sesame oil.... Instead of stoking anything further, we said OK. TRUST ME...if it was the sesame oil used, it must've been rancid oil. I rice. I sesame oil. This rice was BAD. REALLY bad. Think Minute Rice mixed with rancid sesame oil. Regarding the Benedict, the eggs were good, potatoes, too. The sausage was quite tough, and not worth the trouble to chew it. Between the freezing temperature, the lack of greeting, the mixed bag of food and the price, we will need to rethink of this as an option for our brunches.... Still hope to try for dinner, but that has fallen down on the list after this brunch. Will give another try at some point, because I believe in second chances, but will pry be a while..... read more

Delicious food! Ambiance and staff are very nice. One of our favorites in Mathews County. read more

We celebrated our anniversary at White Dog Bistro lady Saturday. The food and service are excellent. We will be back, it my new favorite restaurant. We highly recommend it! read more

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Great food... was surprised to find such creative cuisine. Ambiance and good service. Really enjoy my visit. Ask the history of the place read more

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Expensive, but worth it! If you are looking for a special night out, or an event venue, I'd check the White Dog Bistro out. I've only been there once, and my experience was awesome ... from the setting, to the service, to the delicious and beautifully presented cuisine. read more

A fine eclectic setting with a very relaxed trendy vibe. We arrived early afternoon on a Sunday and were between the brunch and dinner crowd, so the nice part was the owners/wait staff took extra time to be social and friendly with us. The weather was perfect so we sat on the back porch. The meal I ordered was fantastic - both in presentation and taste. The mellon prosciutto salad was very refreshing and the seafood bowl was well flavored and cooked. The bottled beer selection was a little lacking, but had some nice choices on the bottom of the list. It's hard to believe such a nice experience is found in such a remote setting as Matthews. Definitely a nice place for a romantic date. read more

The White Dog Bistro - Mellon scallop salad - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

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My husband and I had the most memorable 25th anniversary there! Chef Walter and his staff are top-notch! The service was impeccable, the food was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate, the restaurant itself is beautiful. Relaxing, yet special-occasion worthy. We had the crab puppies with the most delicious sauce to start. Yum! The Santorini Greek salad was delicious, and our entrees....what can I say? My husband had the cowboy cut ribeye cooked perfectly, I had the filet and crab cake. The most wonderful mash came with both entrees. Dessert was the chocolate cheesecake....beautifully presented and delicious as well. No complaints about anything...except it's too far away from us! (One hour's drive). If you are anywhere in our part of Virginia and want a fabulous and memorable meal, please try it. Absolutely the best!!!! read more

My husband and I came here to celebrate his birthday, as we were taking a mini road trip down to the Mathews County area. I was super duper excited to try the White Dog Bistro out, as it seems like such a cute little restaurant in this historic town! The restaurant is situated in the old Lane's Hotel and owned by Mac and JC Casale. I loved the outdoor patio seating on the porch as well as the modern/contemporary vibe of the dining room decor. Making reservations is a breeze (you can either use their online booking system (but, would still need an email confirmation) or call via phone (I recommend the latter). Their menu offers items such as soups, salads, appetizers, meat and seafood entrees, vegetarian options, as well as desserts. The menu also changes on a weekly basis to showcase local produce and such, so I thought that was pretty cool. They also have a nice wine/beer/specialty cocktails that you can also enjoy. We were served a little platter of cheeses, pickles, and olives, as well as a plate of smoked gouda cornbread and foccacia (both were forgettable). My husband started off with a Daily soup, which was potato and leeks, topped with candied bacon - this wasn't grainy as it usually can be, and it was seasoned well. My husband thought it was pretty okay. I had the Cornmeal Dusted and Fried Oysters 'Caprese' - oysters from Sea Farms in Mathews, VA, were used, with fresh, juicy heirloom cherry tomaotoes, basil pesto, and a balsamic glaze; the oysters were very plump and juicy, and the light cornmeal batter was a nice added touch. The tomatoes were lovely, and the basil pesto and the balsamic glaze were both not too overpowering. I really liked this dish! For our main entrees, my husband had the Braised Oxtail 'Bourguignon' - this was a braised oxtail with burgandy and tomato and-enhanced pearl onion stew, some candied bacon and a side of white truffle-infused mac & cheese - the oxtails were tender and slightly fatty (which my husband likes), but a little on the saltier side. The side of the truffle mac & cheese was quite delicious and creamy, and the truffle oil was not too strong in it. I had the Huntsman's Mixed Grill, which came with grilled elk flank steak, cherry wood-smoked duck, a cacciatore-style sauce with stewed rabbit loin, all over linguine pasta. I was NOT a fan of this dish, even though it was stated as a house specialty; it was described as not being gamey, and you can request how the meat is to be prepared temperature-wise. I did not realize that the whole dish was a 'stew' - I thought it would be a rabbit stew on the side, rather than the stew all over the dish. Also, the meat itself, I thought it would be more of a grilled meats/kabobs-style, with some nice charcoal-flavor. The pasta itself was also overcooked and not al dente, and I just was not a fan of the sauce flavor. We had a lovely server and he was pretty attentive, and the hostess was also really sweet and made sure that our experience was pleasant. I just wasn't a fan of my entree and am not sure if I'm just not a fan of 'River Country' cuisine and/or just the flavors of the entrees here. I am thinking that this place will be good for Happy Hour or to just come by for a drink and some appetizers. I'm glad I was able to try this place out, though! +Cornmeal Dusted and Fried Oysters 'Caprese' +friendly staff read more

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Stopped in to check it out. Service excellent, but sugary everything. The chefs offering before ordering was cute, but Entemmans Blueberry Muffins, eh! Melon salad had watermelon balls, with lemon vinaigrette, and rolled up pieces of ham, eh! The steak & sausage over grits, sounded good, but covered in sticky sweet gravy. Didn't leave feeling good about it, so ..... read more

We went here today for Easter brunch and the food, service, drinks, and atmosphere were absolutely perfect. Such a special place with a beautifully crafted menu. Will definitely return! read more

Fine dining in this small town, this place never disappoints. Pro tip going on the early side assures the excellent specials are available.

It just doesn't get any better than this! We love to go to here as our special go to restaurant. The service is always fantastic and the food is spectacular! The bar is lovely and quaint and they make you feel very welcome! A definite must go! read more

A great place to celebrate a milestone event or holiday. We have never had bad service or food here. They also know how to serve large family gatherings with children - an added bonus for family celebrations. read more

While staying in the area for a birthday weekend trip, my husband and I made reservations for dinner at White Dog. The reservation process was easy and when we had to change our reservation last minute, staff were very accommodating. We ordered a glass of wine and a martini to drink. My husband was super impressed with the blue cheese and truffle stuffed olives in the martini! I was a little disappointed they didn't off any local VA wines, but otherwise their selection was broad! We ordered the warm bread and sangria soup for our appetizers and weren't blown away by either. We then ordered the mussels espana and pistachio crusted pork loin - which were both good. They brought out the dessert we ordered (the white chocolate cheesecake) with a candle for my birthday - which was super sweet. And the cheesecake - omg to die for (especially with a glass of the white port to go with)! Don't skip dessert!!! Our server was nice, but seemed a bit new and didn't know the answers to several of our questions (wine by the glass selection, what the soup was like, etc). We would probably come back if we are in the area again and looking for a nice meal, but not quite sure if it's worth the price/online hype when compared to other restaurants here in DC. read more

My family spent Labor Day weekend in Matthews Virginia and discovered this restaurant. It's one of the few restaurants where I have really had difficulty choosing dishes because I really wanted to try everything. I ordered the scallopsm, which were delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

This was an amazing meal. My husband and I ordered five dishes (two appetizers, two entrees, and one dessert). They all were amazing and kept getting better. If you'd like a meal that is as good as anything you'd find in a major metropolitan area, but while spending time on the river, this is your place. Additionally, the menu has many great seafood and meat options, but a slew of vegetarian and vegan ones as well. As a vegetarian, having four separate entrees to choose from was amazing! Thank you for being so accommodating of vegetarians and vegans. Overall, we'll be back the next time we're in town! read more

This is my favorite restaurant by far on the Middle Peninsula. Love the historic building - decor is classy and upscale. Food and drinks are amazing - easy to know the Chef is talented. Service is spot-on. read more

We were guests of close friends at this marvelous bistro. There were 7 in our party. Our last visit was 2 years ago as we rarely get to Mathews. This was a delightful experience. A boutique bar in a cozy room with a roaring fire in the fireplace. An elegant dinner served by a first class wait staff, very attentive but not pushy. A very nice and varied selection of seafood entrees. What more can I say? A memorable evening. read more

My husband and I ate there last night and loved the food. I had the scallops and they were cooked to perfection with a lovely sauce. The staff is very friendly and the service excellent. We ate outside on the patio and they allowed us to have our dog with us, which we really appreciated. read more

We were in town for Valentine's Day and came across the 4 course special online. We certainly were not disappointed. The quality, presentation and taste of the food were all incredible. I ordered the lobster tail which came with au gratin and it was all fresh and cooked perfectly. The dessert, red velvet cake with cheesecake, was also amazing. The cake was topped with a chocolate sauce and it made for a delicious ending to a great meal. A fun part of the night was the interesting cocktails they serve too. I ordered a white sparkler topped with 151. The owner personally came out and lit the 151 with a lighter which made for a nice little show and it was also a great drink! My husband had a But but blue with a Hpnotiq glow stick, it was also pretty good. read more

The White Dog Bistro - But but blue with Hpnotiq glow stick! - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

A diamond in the rough. Beautiful dining experience in a small town off the beaten path. If you are in the area you must go. The food was exceptional. The cocktails were made perfectly and the wait staff were attentive and happy to make a great dining experience. This is fine dining with reasonable prices. read more

Great atmosphere and decor, friendly and attentive staff and delicious food. We're visiting Mathews from DC and this place definitely was a pleasant surprise and is better than many price comparable spots in the city. We came later in the evening during winter and it was kind of dead. Would love to come back in summer and see the place when the patio is open. Was gonna take a star off for the very few wine by the glass options, but I understand why a smaller place like this might have to limit the selection. Good beer list made up for it. Definitely recommend the bruschetta and the pistachio crusted pork. Mmmmm. read more

The best restaurant in Matthews and the surrounding area!! Whenever I am visiting my parent's beach cottage in Deltaville, we always make the 35 minute drive to Matthews for The White Dog Bistro. Why? Because this place is amazing. There is simply nothing else like it in the area! First of all the restaurant itself is adorable- it's in a historic home and each room has it's own vibe and decor. The food is simply fantastic! They also have a great wine selection and cocktails. The owners, Mac and JC, are the nicest and most interesting people. Stop in and say hi, grab a drink, and enjoy some fabulous food- you won't regret it!! read more

The White Dog Bistro - Enjoying some delicious chocolate cake! - American Near Me - Mathews, Virginia

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Small town elegance! We celebrated an anniversary dinner with friends last night at the White Dog Bistro. Arriving earlier than our reservation, we enjoyed a glass of the house red wines in the bar. Once at our table, we sampled two delicious appetizers including the Crab Dip and the Calamari Mediterranean . For our entrees, the ladies chose the Louisiana Cakes and the men selected the Seafood Baton Rouge and the Pepperpot Gumbo. We all finished our plates clean. For dessert, one Chocolate Simplicity and Mango Parfait later, our tummys were full. The cozy ambience added to the excellent service and the meals were plated to perfection. This experience met and exceeded our expectations! Highly recommended and plan to return for special occasions. read more

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I can't say enough about White Dog Bistro. I am a wedding planner and we had my sister's wedding reception there as it was a small amount of people. From my original conversation with Walter I knew it was going to be an awesome night. I never expected the service to be as top notch as it was. Amanda was overly communicative helping ensure everything from the time we arrived until we left was taken care of. We had a couple of people who didn't order appetizers and at the last minute we had to add them on and Amanda and team made it appear so effortlessly to have them added. Not once during our night did they ever seemed it was frustrating or a challenge for them. Now let's talk about the amazing menu or food they provided. Not one of our guests said anything but raving reviews of how good the food was from apps to Salads and entree. The portions are big so you definitely won't go home hungry. So when you are looking for your next evening out or special gathering contact White Dog Bistro as you want be disappointed. Top notch service and food for sure! Thank you White Dog for all you did to help my sister and husband have an incredible night! read more

We went to White Dog for our very small wedding reception/dinner. We didn't give them as much notice as we should (we're very informal folks) but they were wonderful and so accommodating, even reserving a private dining room for us. The food was phenomenal, everyone in our twelve-person group, including the kids, were blown away by their meals. The crab hush puppies were something of dreams and their crab cakes were outstanding without a hint of filler. We all left very full and very satisfied. But perhaps most importantly, the service was top notch. We kept both our servers and the kitchen staff there over an hour past closing and never once did their service falter. The wait staff were so sweet with great senses of humor and stories to tell about White Dog and Mathews. And of course, as stated before, the kitchen staff knows their stuff and we cannot wait to return and try more of the menu (but the hush puppies will always be a staple appetizer). White Dog was the perfect place to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends that have become family. I would recommend them for their food, hospitality, patience, and service without hesitation and plan to make them one of our Mathews haunts. Thank you so much White Dog and staff! read more