BLK Swan — Restaurant in Baltimore

I recently had the pleasure of dining at BLK Swan, a remarkable black-owned restaurant in Baltimore, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with warm hospitality and a genuine sense of pride in their culinary offerings.

First and foremost, I would like to commend Cam, my server, who truly went above and beyond to make my visit special. His attentiveness and knowledge of the menu were remarkable, and he effortlessly guided me through the dining experience, ensuring that every detail was taken care of. Cam's exceptional service truly elevated my time at BLK Swan.

Having visited the previous night for drinks and dessert, I was thoroughly convinced by the bartender to return for brunch the following day. And boy, am I glad I did! I started off with the chicken box as an appetizer, and it was absolutely divine. The chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. It left me eagerly anticipating what was to come.

For the main course, I ordered the lobster croissant, and it was a true masterpiece. The succulent lobster meat was perfectly complemented by the flaky, buttery croissant, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

The presentation was impeccable, and every bite was a delight to the senses. It was evident that the culinary team at BLK Swan takes immense pride in their craft, and it truly shines through in their dishes.

Aside from the exceptional food, the ambiance at BLK Swan was second to none. The restaurant exuded a cozy yet stylish atmosphere, with contemporary decor and tasteful lighting. It provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. The attention to detail in the interior design truly added to the overall charm of the place.

In addition to the exceptional service, delectable food, and inviting ambiance, BLK Swan further enhanced the Sunday brunch experience with the soulful beats and infectious rhythms provided by their live DJ. The carefully curated selection of hip hop and R&B music added a vibrant energy to the atmosphere, creating a perfect backdrop for enjoying the mouthwatering dishes. The seamless fusion of incredible music and culinary excellence made BLK Swan's brunch an unforgettable sensory experience, leaving me tapping my feet and humming along while savoring each bite. It was evident that every aspect of the dining experience at BLK Swan is meticulously crafted to create an all-encompassing celebration of culture, flavor, and rhythm.

I must also commend the entire staff at BLK Swan for their professionalism and dedication. From the friendly hostess who welcomed me to the attentive waitstaff, everyone contributed to making my visit memorable. It is evident that the team is passionate about creating a remarkable dining experience for their guests.

In conclusion, BLK Swan is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and celebrated. With a combination of excellent service, delectable cuisine, and an inviting ambiance, it is an absolute must-visit for anyone in Baltimore. Whether you're stopping by for drinks, dessert, or a full-blown brunch, BLK Swan will exceed your expectations and leave you with a lasting impression. I cannot wait to return and explore more of their...

I really wanted to love my experience last night for my birthday but I hated it. The service really made the experience sour.

1st of all, you have to make a $250.00 deposit for parties over 6 I believe “prior” to booking that goes toward the final bill. I made the res on open table where it does NOT list that information. Doesn’t on the website either where it states the deposit is only for their private room. Thank God I worked down the street and had to see them a week before because their phones were broken and I couldn’t get in solid contact to confirm my reservation and then paid that money. My issue is that they told me that when I arrived that at least half the party had to be present before seating us.

That is crazy to me given ALL the steps I had to take to confirm my reserve and pay a food security deposit. Like let us sit down.

— Didn’t know they were hosting a Preakness after party, which is fine but our server and serving staff had a VERY difficult time. Why are you bringing out our food staggered? Some of the orders were wrong, and my 24k gold crab cake that was $130.00 was supposed to have the shell display AND CAME OUT WITH SILVER FOIL. Like aluminum looking foil. The food itself was a 7/10.

— The music was WAY TOO LOUD. I’ve been to places in Houston where they have live DJs and bottle service at their restaurants but the sound system and insulation made sense with their establishment. We couldn’t hear the waitress and she could barely hear us. It was still a restaurant but had the noise level of a full blown club.

— The drinks were amazing 10/10 BUT why did they bring them out way after our first round of food?! It should’ve came first and quickly at that.

— When the bill came there were several errors and they didn’t even take the $250.00 deposit off that they were ready to collect from when I had to come to them in person to confirm my reservation. I spent 30 annoying minutes failing to find my server, have another server help me, go back and forth with my original server, get a manager involved… to find out to she printed the check two more times to the table with two different updates which confused the hell out of my guests.

— They tried to make small gestures for my birthday like put my cupcakes on a stand and give me a shout out with a comp glass of champagne but the cons outweighed that HEAVILY. Blk Swan ruined my birthday dinner.

We still got bottle service and was the only table that did and then you give us service like that? Absolutely not. Definitely still believe the check is messed up too.

I’m not going back, it’s sad because I really don’t play about black business but they played with me so I needed to write this review. I wouldn’t recommend coming for a nice dinner party, just grab a drink at the bar and head out to your next location. Highly...

The overall pace for the evening was set at the beginning when stale cold wet popcorn was placed at the table. Albeit their version of "table bread", points for creativity, but docked for execution. As you may see in my other reviews, I have food allergies. Specifically, dairy, nuts, and tree nuts. None of these are uncommon, and this is something I bring up to every server at the beginning of ordering anything. I mentioned my allergies and then I ordered the braised short rib bao buns. When they were almost done, the waiter informed us that I couldn't have them due to butter on the buns and we would have to put in another order. Thankfully, we were not charged for them, but at this point we had been waiting for about 20mins and had only drinks. We switched to the lamb, ordered medium, and everything was fine...until the last piece which was only partially cooked. I only realized it when I bit into rubbery uncooked lamb. At that point, it was already taken away and the main dishes were coming out. In going through this roller-coaster of emotions and being plain hungry, I just wanted to eat and leave. I ordered the Turkey Meatloaf which also was fine for the most part. The first half of the meatloaf was fine. Again, it was the last few bites and those were cold. Not room temperature, but as if it were poorly microwaved. I sincerely hope that this was not the case as the overall cost for the experience of eating at this establishment did not match the quality of service provided. Partially cooked lamb smothered in Lawrys, mostly heated meatloaf, and poor allergy accommodations all by themselves are small annoyances. Together, they make for a disproportionate price tag considering the overall experience. The final nail in the coffin that really prompted me to write all of this was the waiter pre-selecting 25% for tip on the card reader. Had I not paid attention when asked to sign the card reader, I would have fallen for, what I can only assume was, a bad-faith attempt to get a higher tip. I have never seen the tip portion pre-selected when being asked to sign. I don't know the legality, but I do know that this is non-standard. I even reviewed the menu and fine print looking for parties of two being charged a gratuity of 25% by default. For similar pricing, but a superior dining experience, visit the Rec Pier Chop House at The Pendry. Otherwise, lower your standards and open...