B2 Bistro + Bar — Restaurant in West Reading

Let’s start with the decor. It was absolutely lovely. We sat outside in the courtyard and although the sun moved and it became quite chilly the outdoor area itself was quite pleasant. Our server (I want to say brandy) was super sweet. She was new but she was really trying hard. The good: my gfs mom ordered the Mac and cheese and loved it. She would’ve liked an option to add chicken or a protein to it (there was the seafood version but she just would’ve liked a simpler grilled chicken or something as an add on) but she found it very delicious and loved all the cheese. The not so great: the gf ordered a Caesar salad with salmon. The lettuce came out oxidized with brown spots and the salmon portion had to be 4 oz if less, and the salmon was over cooked. All the above were not dealbreakers. It was meal that was. I ordered the duck breast and before so made sure before that I could order it medium rare. I’ve been looking for a solid duck breast for months and when I saw it I immediately knew it was what I wanted. The server returned to let me know that medium rare would not be an issue. The length of time we waited for our food bothered me initially. We ordered and I saw a table come in order and finish their entrees before we were even served. In their defense apparently a host walked out in there middle of the shift. A super not ok thing and the reason why I was so understanding at first. However when my food did come out it was definitely over cooked. I attempted to eat it but after seeing the look on my face my gf said if you’re not happy you should send it back. So I did the GM who was extremely nice came over and said it was way over cooked and he apologized. The cook who made it was not normally at that station. He insured me it would come out medium rare and in 2-3 min. He then very kindly asked if I needed anything in the interim, noticing the rest of my party had finished their food by this point. I declined and said I would wait. Eventually I succumbed to his offer and got the edamame as my gfs mother had asked me what that green dish was and I wanted her to have something to enjoy why we waited. I’m glad I did as about 15-20 min later the GM returned to inform me that the had been cooking using a meat thermometer in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. He profusely apologized and I sympathized with him as this wasn’t something in his control. Another 15-20 min go by and my food arrives. I look at it and I immediately know it’s overcooked again. Not a Ton but definitely medium but it was an improvement and I was just ready to be out of there. The server even came over and commented about the temperature didn’t seem like medium rare to her. I appreciated that the GM went out of his way and that they tried but it seemed like simple execution failed them. They did Como the duck and the edamame and I’d give them a 3.5 if I could for sheer effort but it was disappointing to say the least. Will be back...

Investigative report on my visit to B2 Bistro + Bar in West Reading, PA. Forget the Wayne manor kitchen; this place is a culinary operation worthy of investigation!

Located on the first floor of the historic Narrow Fabric Building, B2 has been seamlessly integrated into the 1929 industrial complex, making it a true part of the West Reading/Wyomissing neighborhood. They've smartly incorporated original components from the former knitting mill to create a hip, authentically industrial aesthetic. It's got character, much like Gotham City itself, but with better lighting and less crime.

They have B2 Café, which is described as the perfect drop-in spot. It's where you can find their handcrafted coffees and teas, as well as brunch dishes that could delight even the most discerning palate. The B2 Café is open Mon-Fri until 2:00 pm and one of the employees specializes in gluten free treats which are on display for purchase. Sat & Sun open until 3:00 pm, so plan your brunch infiltration accordingly.

The restaurant operates on the increasingly trendy "garden to table" concept" where their Executive Chef and team transform fresh, locally-sourced ingredients into delectable creations reminiscent of American and Mediterranean bistro-style cooking. This focus on quality is evident, so be prepared to bring your bat wallet; you're paying for top-tier ingredients and expert preparation.

At the bar, you'll find an eclectic wine list, a continuously rotating selection of draft beers, and a raft of expertly crafted cocktails. They specialize in barrel-aged spirits and use fresh seasonal fruit in their drinks, ensuring every concoction is a precision strike of flavor.

For those planning special operations, they are equipped to host private events. They offer multiple private dining rooms suitable for various super hero team size. Think rehearsal dinners, baby showers, or even a tactical team meeting. Their talented culinary and event coordination teams are ready to assist.

Overall, B2 Bistro + Bar is an industrially lsolid location for refueling after a long night, grabbing brunch, or hosting a Bat-Signal level event. It gets the BatmanJawn stamp of approval for its unique location, commitment to quality, and versatile event spaces.

Mediterranean avocado toast is a brunch option I would recommend.

Stop in and say hello to the Stupendous Ms. Sam. She's the boss lady who makes the magic happen. Tell her...

Expensive. Poor quality. Horrible attitude from the chef. 1 star because of my experience with him. 4 stars for service because they are always incredible and go above and beyond.

The chef was inappropriate(looked me up at down and told me "I was welcome anytime") with me two times when I was talking to a server. It's gross. He is supposed to be a professional. Guests and servers should NEVER feel uncomfortable in that environment.

I mentioned this to someone when also complaining about the lack of modifications, and the response was, "Good luck. Multiple servers have complained and it goes nowhere."

This is truly appalling to me. Your servers, baristas, and other customer-facing positions are the face of your business. At the very least, they should be protected from sexual harassment and extreme bursts of anger (I've seen/heard the chef a total of 3 times while working there have massive outbursts aimed at the waitstaff).

I am all about giving people room to grow and learn from their mistakes and shortcomings. If the chef is committed to repairing his relationship with women as well as seeking anger management, then he should be given a chance to make a public apology for his wrongdoings and get back to work. However, if he's not willing to take a deep hard look at his objectification & dehumanization of women as well as his projection of his own anger onto his staff, then the company should do what they need to do to provide a healthy work culture for their team.

I'm a regular here and I go pretty often. When it transitioned from Squawk Cafe to B2, the food took a hit. But I was willing to give it a try several times because I really do like the staff, a few servers and bartenders in particular. And the coffee is pretty good.

However, the quality of the food has plummeted imho--my views on the chef aside. The sushi is good. The pizza is good. The french toast is good. NOTHING on the menu is worth the price tag outside of those options.

But everything else is subpar, and it's strange that modifications are strictly prohibited for people with food allergies. Genuinely, if you think the food is worth the price tag, then you need to expand...