The Bistro — Restaurant in Findlay

OK where to start. I’ve seen a lot of of the other reviews of this restaurant all saying it’s a five star fine dining place—if you’re used to eating at Applebee’s then yes it is an upgrade. But black walls and black tablecloths do not make a fine dining restaurant. The flatware was okay, but not something you’d find in a fine dining establishment. The service was slow and the restaurant was incredibly loud. The tables are long, rectangular tables coming away from the wall and the chairs were something you’d see in an upper scale diner. Everything was nice but fine dining-No. The tables are all six tops yet they charge you 20% gratuity on any party 6 or more. They also charge you automatically a service fee of 3% because they’re planning on you using a credit card (that they thankfully removed when paying cash). The restaurant is very narrow almost like it used to be the space between two buildings. This probably accounts for the loud noise factor and the use of long rectangular 6 top tables. The space was really not designed for a restaurant. Now let’s talk about the food. I give them credit for trying to create interesting and different menu options. The salads are very good and some of the entrées were absolutely delicious. The lobster risotto was very good although for $38 appears that you get the meat from inside one lobster claw and the rest was something diced up. I really couldn’t tell that I was eating lobster, but the flavors were very good, and I would still recommend. My wife had the salmon, which was cooked well, but the pesto was overpowering, and too much pickled onions piled on top. She said the proportions weren’t t quite right and wouldn’t probably order it again. The mushroom linguine was another story. The chicken was overcooked and dry, and the artichoke was undercooked, and again, the pesto was overpowering and just not right. My daughter couldn’t even eat it. Would have sent it back, but since our waitress didn’t come by towards the end of the meal, there’s no point in ordering something else. I told the waitress it was not good and she couldn’t eat it. However, they did not take it off the bill so apparently at this restaurant, if they serve it, you are paying for it. Realistically, it may of just been a new server who didn’t know that she should have removed the meal from the bill. I didn’t make a big deal about it just because we were celebrating a graduation. Just an fyi, she served my 17yo daughter a glass of wine that was intended for another adult at the table. She may want to card people that don’t look old enough….

Ok— It’s a good place to try, but it missed the mark as a 5star fine dining restaurant. It’s a little pricey, but has unique meals that you may find interesting. I would have given it 4 stars but the charge for uneaten meal, service charge for credit card, and mandatory 20% gratuity rubs...

My husband and I are from the Chicago area and we were in Tiffin, Ohio for the weekend. It was recommended we drive to Findlay for dinner. We looked on line for restaurant reviews and decided to try Bistro on Main. Great choice! At first it seemed like a cozy, quaint bar; dimly lit with semi private booths. It was perfect for a "date night'. When we arrived, the host(who we later found out was the owner, Sam) offered to seat us. We wanted to sit in a booth and there wasn't one available. He sat us at a table for a drink while we waited. A booth very quickly became available and we were seated right away. We were already impressed with the eagerness to accommodate us.The menu and the wine list were also very impressive. Our server Brandi was so friendly and very knowledgeable and attentive. It wasn't surprising to hear she has worked there over ten years. It's not often you dine where the staff isn't just an employee but a respected asset to the restaurant. Her love for her job was completely reflected in the service she provided. We ordered the fried olive appetizer-they were very good. Entrees came with a choice of soup or salad- I ordered salad with their rosemary gorgonzola dressing. Wish I could have bought a bottle or four, the addition of rosemary elevated the gorgonzola to a whole knew level. Both of our main courses were fabulous- herb encrusted sea bass and kobe beef, not to mention boursin lobster mashed potatoes! Great portions, Midwest not Bistro size, and very fair pricing. We did order dessert as well, a delicious chocolate truffle cake but I will clarify that was the only plate we were able to finish and we shared it. Before we left, we had the pleasure of chatting with Sam and Brandi. They were telling us that the restaurant has been recently renovated, also that most of the employees are long term including the young chef that worked her way to the position and her mother that made the desserts. You could tell Sam appreciates his customers and employees and as a result it was an excellent experience from start to finish. The Bistro on Main would give any 5 star restaurant in any major city a run for it's money. The town of Findlay is lucky to have such a gem. Our daughter is looking at an area college and if she ends up in Ohio, I'll look forward to frequent visits to the...

From Cincinnati, visiting relatives, ate here 9/26/17, a Saturday, during dinner rush. It was one of those ultra-rare experiences where the meal (and whole experience) was perfect. The server (Vicki) was outstanding, friendly, but better, knowledgeable. I took her advice and ordered the house strip steak with garlic and cream sauce. Was sceptical when it arrived, it was 4" thick through the center cut, nevertheless, it was perfectly cooked all the way through (medium). The sauce was every bit as good as it sounded. My favorite part was ALMOST the garnish, baby asparagus cooked to crispy, delicious perfection. I forgot the appetizers and soup. The tomato bisque is as good as every review says it is (would eat it every day if I lived in Findlay). The deviled eggs with candied bacon sounded experimental, turned out to be homey and uber-edible, disappeared so fast it seemed as if they were stolen. Others at the table raved about the various Italian dishes they had, they seemed to enjoy theirs as much as I did mine. Not a drinker, but the vinophiles at the table loved the (suggested) zinfandel. Was a fantastic meal, the best dinner out I've had this year. There weren't any negatives, but to avoid being over-enthusiastic, I will say the wait for dinner clearly indicates that Saturday evening is a peak rush here, something that is totally understandable. The place has a wonderful ambience, sitting there with friends, chatting, is hardly a "chore". I will find ways to sneak in a couple extra trips to Findlay now, cause the Bistro is a real draw. Of course: Any "perfect" meal is part good fortune. But it is clear that at this restaraunt, they work hard enough that they make their own luck, and their luck is excellent. Definitely worth a stop, even if you are just headed by Findlay on the Intetstate. Pretty downtown location with lots of on street parking close. Think there are garages available as well, but didn't have to fight for a spot nearby (Findlay is not...