Blackbird — Restaurant in Bozeman

The only thing I eat more in this world than pizza are Fish n Chips but we arent here to talk about that. We are gathered here today to talk about pizza.

“Pizza is like sex, when its good its good and when its bad its still good.”

The blackbird on the night I visited danced very close to dispelling that tale.

We, our group of 10, were lucky enough to get in as walk ins. Our scouts were seated within 30 minutes of walking in asking for a table large enough to seat us all. Pretty good in my estimation. We heard many good things about the BlackBird and really wanted to try it out since the last place I had world class pizza was in Austin Texas (one of few redeeming features of Texas).

Walking in after figuring out the entrance is not the first door we walked up on (user error) We entered a very nicely designed open kitchen restaurant. The smells emitting from there were Devine. I really love Italian food and pizza especially. We were escorted to our table and sat, laughed and waited for our helper. Roughly 12m 43s later our helper showed up for drink orders. Phew, beer on the way! About 5m 3s later another helper, younger and not as curt, brought us menus. Losing track of time but noticing our drinks haven’t showed up yet (8m after the menu delivery) our drinks showed up. Yes, the restaurant was busy and yes the bar appeared to be full but we are pushing on 30 minutes for drinks alone. My heart began to sink.

I think Tom T. Hall sang it best in his song “I Like Beer”

I like beer, BEER It makes me a jolly good fellow.

Given that, beer is a cold and refreshing alcoholic beverage but Beer is not however, as the English may say it “piss warm and flat”. My heart began to sink further. I sent it back and received a much better quality replacement in 3m 12s. My heart was filled with joy.

Somewhere in all the ordering of drinks and receiving our menus we ordered our food. More drinks and some enchanting tales of the days or yore, our dishes began to arrive (53 munties 24 cekons later). I attached a photo (couldnt attach the photo, use your minds eye) of what I ate which had some real good flavors and a huge pile of aru… aru… arugula on top of it. I do love arugula. Peppery green food that could have been served as a starter salad there was so much on the pizza. However after having had a bite of the pizza I found that it was a reassuring respite from the burnt crust that lurked ominously on the underside of the pizza. You see those burnt bubbles of love (minds eye again) in the photo, imagine the whole bottom being like that. It was bitter and off putting to my delicate palate. Whatever culinary breakthroughs may have been achieved with the sauce, toppings etc were over powered by the bitter burnt crust.

You may be thinking now that this guy is a “malcontent” or just “expects too much from a pizza joint”. Well my dear readers, nothing could be further from the truth. I was not the only one commenting on the quality of their food and we ordered allot of it. When all said and done about $600 of various dishes and drinks (10 people remember). Does that equate quality fare? I think it does. I mean you aren’t paying for live comedy. No. You came to a highly suggested and recommended restaurant to have a good meal with friends.

The next time Im in Bozangeles I will try the BlackBird and update my post if it garners updating. Like I said earlier, I do love Pizza and the restaurant was busy (not Christmas 12/16). Also I believe in giving second chances. God knows I’ve benefited from the grace of a second chance before.

What exactly am I trying to say after all the hearty Repartée.? Go. Bring friends and please prove me wrong. I want to believe that my experience was that one in a million off nights the BlackBird has had as all restaurants will.

Total time in country 1h 51m 12s.

BozeAngeles - northern resettling colony for Angeleans to come and claim to be their “own find”. Ever heard of Lewis and Clark? Bitter…. Yes I am.

UPDATE: I returned, I gave them a second chance AND…. Arrogant staff, burnt food....

The food was delicious. The waiter was friendly, prompt and knowledgeable. The two star rating is due to the way I was treated upon walking into the restaurant. If you have never been to this restaurant, be aware that there is no obvious host/ess station. When you walk in, you are immediately standing within inches of seated customers. I stood near the door for about 45 seconds to a minute, waiting for one of the many employees who saw me to come over and speak to me or even acknowledge me from a distance. You may think that doesn't sound like a long time to wait and that I was being impatient. But it was so bizarrely ambiguous as to what I should do, and it was awkward standing that close to the already seated customers trying to eat, that I walked over to the bar where a cluster of employees were, the ones that saw me, thinking that might be where the hostess actually is. The bartender finally acknowledged me and I asked "how long is the wait for two?" and she said "hmmmm I think the hostess would know that more than me" and literally walked away. So I kept standing there right next to an employee who was keying something into a computer. At this point I felt like I was being pranked. She finally turned to me and with exasperation said "you said two? Ok just wait over there and I'll let you know" pointing back to the front door. I can only assume this was the hostess? So I stood back by the door for about 4-5 more minutes until my friend arrived and we were seated. Lest you think I'm exaggerating about how awkward the process was, a woman walked in behind me while I was standing there and asked if I was in line to be seated as she was also confused about where to stand and wondering where the hostess was (who obviously didn't come over to greet this woman either). I'm leaving this review because simply checking in with a hostess should not be such a complicated event. A simple acknowledgement of a patron that YOU SEE standing and waiting would go a long way. A smile, a eyebrow raise, a wave, a finger, anything. I've worked restaurants. I've worked retail. I get it. You're busy. But...

Ah, the delightful culinary haven that is Blackbird, situated in the charming town of Bozeman. One cannot help but be captivated by the masterful cuisine that graces the palates of its patrons. The dishes, without exception, are of the highest caliber, expertly crafted by the skilled hands of their chefs. I must confess, however, that the bread stands out as a personal favorite of mine. Its enchanting aroma and flavors beckon me with every visit.

The marinara sauce, a seemingly humble offering, boasts a symphony of flavors that dance upon the taste buds. It is an essential accompaniment to any meal at this esteemed establishment.

As the night unfolds, one cannot help but be entranced by the mellifluous sounds of the jazz trio that graces the dining room with their soulful performance. Their music is the very essence of conviviality, infusing the atmosphere with an effervescent charm.

In the midst of its bustling popularity, Blackbird maintains a certain level of intimacy, ensuring that those who choose to dine alone are graciously accommodated. The bar top seating is an inviting option, offering patrons an intimate and engaging dining experience.

The open kitchen layout adds a touch of theatricality to the evening, allowing guests a glimpse into the world of culinary artistry that unfolds behind the scenes. The atmosphere is positively electric, a testament to the restaurant's passion and dedication to its craft.

And to complete this symphony of the senses, Blackbird offers a remarkable wine menu, carefully curated to complement and elevate each dish. It is, without a doubt, an essential part of the experience.

In sum, a visit to Blackbird in Bozeman is an absolute must for any discerning gastronome. The triumvirate of delectable cuisine, mellifluous music, and a spirited atmosphere makes it a truly unforgettable...