1853 Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Council Bluffs

Not a great experience. Food was delicious but service sucked! We didn't have a reservation so had to use bar seating. Not a big deal, we didn't mind. The poor bar tender was overwhelmed with serving the bar and making drinks for the restaurant. Took over an hour for our food to come. When we asked to speak with a manager, the bar manager wouldn't even acknowledge us. Another manager came to talk to us after we had requested a manager for the 2nd time. He tried arguing with us and telling us that we were wrong and our food ticket was put in 30 min prior, not an hour. We had time stamped texts proving otherwise but he was still rude. He told us Valentine's Day was a busy day, which we understand that. But the restaurant was not even half full and we had seen multiple parties eat and leave. My husband mentioned this as well and the manager told us they don't always like to fill the restaurant. Nevertheless, my husband asked him to make things right. He walked away. Another 10 min our food finally came out. Literally one half of my steak was well done and the half medium well. I ordered a medium steak. I was afraid to send it back due having already been there 90+ min at this point and just now getting food. My husband and I are a bi-racial couple. We watched the bar manager barely acknowledge us or make eye contact. He was also the same way with another black couple. Yet he was super friendly and conversational with all the other customers at the bar. I don't like to call people racist but it was obvious he was more comfortable interacting with the Caucasian customers than minorities. He also sat new customers at the bar after others left without cleaning the area first. There were still dirty napkins, used glasses and a toothpick on the counter. The new customers had to push everything away and the guy reached over the bar, grabbed a bar napkin and wiped the area. Another man, I'm guessing another manager or maybe the owner came by. He asked everyone how things were. My husband explained our situation to him. He apologized and walked away, never to be seen again. We paid for our full ticket, and still left a nice tip as we don't believe in stiffing servers; but, nothing was ever done to rectify our situation. If you're going to bracket your establishment as a top notch place then you need better service and accuracy on cooking steaks. First and last time going here. When one spends $48 on a steak not including sides, the steak should be cooked to perfect and have...

My wife and I sat at bar, Saturday 30th the host saved us seats with menus- thanks she rocks! did not see her name! There was only 2 -3 couples in restaurant some reservations didn’t show hosted said we could go in after certain time which was fair we did not have reservations! FOOD: We had had short ribs which they brought out roast instead and half chicken grilled both ere good a lot of food took home a lot of it, DRINKS Buffalo Trace and glass of Kolsch beer both was very good! staff Bartender- Amanda respectful awesome and very helpful knowledgeable great to have she was helpful was busy excellent service with a smile no complaints! Amanda always asked how things were very good people skills busy and making a difference in customers she even was joking. For as busy they were the-boss did help service but has not stop ask how food was for anyone maybe next time.- Bobby a host did come in visited tables did not get to us though next time!, Garrett did and told us to make sure we enjoy our day and hopefully we! He rocks! There was 8 at bar Amanda got behind the boss ( did not have name tag on) came back in made drinks did not talk to anyone or ask how things were going! We will return hopefully the Manager will stop by tables as will the host when they come in! Grest atmosphere and decor! Will try the wings and other next time Good place for breakfast...

First time visitor to 1853 Bistro and Bar. We received a $75 voucher for being players at Ameristar Casino, located inside the same building as Casino, hotel, etc.

Newly renovated from previous restaurant - nicely decorated and clean upscale environment.

Large selection of food and drinks to choose from.

On our visit, our server was annoyed she got a table 2 hrs before closing. She rolled her eyes on several occasions from her first greeting to our final check.

Bread and Oil is given upon arrival. Oil is sweet and delish! If we could’ve gotten more, we would have! Highly recommend, even if you sit at bar and just order drinks.

We went with two options to try out and split. Our favorite by far was the chicken Alfredo. Creamy sauce, tender and moist chicken. Plenty of sauce, noodles and chicken.

Our second dish was the chicken, veggies and potatoes. Veggies and potatoes were good - tender and tasty. The chicken was small, dry and not good. The price was not justified. Maybe because it was close to closing we were given older chicken, but just not good.

Thankful for a $75 voucher as we paid $1.26 + tip. If we returned, we would not get the chicken dinner and stick to the Alfredo or try the steaks.

Tip: select one of the dinners to get veggies, etc, but mostly everything is al a cart.

Recommendation: yes, but the prices on dishes do not justify...