William Davis
Google
For background context, I am someone who would, in my own terms, not seek out a "frou frou" or "food experiences" type of dinner. My preferred wine characteristics are sweet alcoholic grape juice with notes of Welch's. I had already attempted to side step the subtle suggestion of a date night here when my wife recited the summary of a recent article about Biblio suggesting it sounded like "a lovely ladies night idea."
However, through chance, my wife ended up with reservations from a friend's misfortune and asked if I wanted to go. I hesitated but committed.
I'm glad I did; we had an amazing night that was engaging yet relaxing. I would happily go back for another occasion. And best of all I didn't leave thinking "it wasn't enough food."
The atmosphere had clearly been tweaked and tuned and we were suprised at the ambiance for the building layout and materials. We had recently been in another open area layout restauraunt and rushed to leave due to the noise levels. At Biblio we did not feel overwhelmed by other tables' conversations. It was unfortunate that there was a live band outside that I felt detracted from our experience, but luckily they stopped midway through dinner.
The entire dinning staff was attentive and pleasant. Our sommelier, Jamie, was fun, informative, and personable. The chef stopped by to walk us through the final course and provide us with a taste of a very rare allocated champagne.
We went with "The Blind" where the food is paired to your wine bottle. The food was something I never would have ordered on my own but the majority of the items were outstanding. Each item was engaging and thought out. We had a mushroom dish with a pastry that blew my mind; I couldn't get enough of it. A few items with twists on summer fruits. A delightful seafood pasta course. Even the sorbet was a creative blend of hot and cold. The one thing I didn't absolutely love, I still enjoyed and it was my own fault for not being forward in my tastes. (I've never been a white fish fan and there was a grouper.)
Pricing wise, it was relative to the type of dinner experience. For us, it would definitely be a "special occasion" type of night. We also ordered 2 bottles between us and felt they were more than reasonable for "restauraunt pricing" on a bottle of wine.
Looking at issus reported on other reviews many of them seem to have been handled when we went: I felt I knew what I was signing up for when ordering. I don't personally condone the idea of an automatic service fee on a party of 2, but at the same time it was clearly communicated that it was already added at the end. It's what we would have tipped and felt it was well deserved and we added additional. The idea of a deposit on a reservation felt odd. But thinking it through, it seems perfectly reasonable on a place with as limited seating as Bilibo and from our situation it was easily transferable and a streamlined process.
Reading through other reviews, it's amazing to see an owner standing up for their staff. I hope for continued success for Biblio and their team. We look forward to the experience and chance to dine with the chef next door at their other restauraunt Counter.