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All reviews brie chocolate cake mashed potatoes mango chicken an appetizer friday night martini booth
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Reviewed July 30, 2023

We headed to the Black Cat Bistro for something a little upscale to celebrate an anniversary. The food did not disappoint. I had the Pecan Crusted Tilapia, and others had the salmon and beef dishes, and all were very tasty! The waitress was very helpful...and even made some blackberry lemonades for us - nothing like a custom lemonade! The kitchen didn't have some items, like curds for the poutine that we wanted to try, but the options we had were excellent. The area is really fun, too, with an adjoining pedestrian street with chalk drawings, areas to sit and chat, and an arcade. We loved this area of Lansing!More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed March 22, 2023

Very disappointed overall. It was a Sunday afternoon and we had tickets to a musical. Very glad we gave ourselves extra time. It took forever. Drinks and apps were good but service fell off and our meals were terrible. The sirloin was cold in the...middle and the truffle Mac and Cheese was basically noodles with some chicken. I think our meals sat under a heat lamp for some time. They only came out when I asked. The restaurant was not crowded either so I have no idea what happened. They do have great drinks and apps so if that’s what you’re looking for and you have some time, have at it. So disappointed because we have a graduation coming up and I was hoping to go. We will have to find another establishment.More

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed September 10, 2022

Fantastic, hard working, friendly staff. Good martinis. Mediocre food. Fish tacos were ok, more like fish sticks.

Date of visit: September 2022
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Reviewed September 9, 2022 via mobile

Apps were pretty good. Drinks not bad either . I ordered the jerk chicken, almost uneatable. So dry it hurt to even swallow it. The other entrées were above average but not great.

Date of visit: September 2022
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Reviewed February 21, 2022

We had a reservation for Friday night and because we were early, totally beat the crowd that later arrived. Even though the whole place smelled a little like fried food or maybe it was just a kitchen smell, the atmosphere was pleasant. Our booth was...nice and roomy. Our waiter was very polite, efficient and on top of all of our requests. He recommended a wine that we loved, and my daughter truly enjoyed her passion fruit Shirley temple. Our dinners were absolutely delicious, starting with the Apple Mango Brie Bruschetta. Large serving for an appetizer, very good. The Blackened Tilapia was incredible, served with flavorful rice and fresh asparagus. the Spinach spaghetti (with chicken) was fresh and plentiful. the grilled sirloin was a bit strange, served sliced on top of the mashed potatoes instead of whole, but still good. We were stuffed after all of this but ordered a Chocolate cake to go and wow, was it a treat! The raspberry sauce was the best. We had. lovely time at the back cat bistro and would love to come back!More

Date of visit: February 2022
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Reviewed January 2, 2022 via mobile

This is one of my favorite places to go in East Lansing. I especially love the outdoor seating area, which is one of the only ones in the greater Landon area that doesn’t face a parking lot. The menu changes but the food is always...good. Service varies but is most good & always friendly.More

Date of visit: July 2021
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Reviewed July 29, 2021

We were entirely disappointed with the customer service at this restaurant. Having ordered a glass of wine and asking if it had been opened today — as they have decent wines by the glass on the menu — I was given a sip and then...told when it was opened… 7/19 or more than TEN days ago which was known bc they date when their wines are opened. It tasted like cough syrup and still I was told that would be the bottle from which my glass would come. Even though I asked to talk to the manager, we were given two glasses of what my sister ordered (delivered without comment by the manager) and I had to ask the server what wine I was being given. The cab it turned out was freshly opened bc they didn’t have one sitting on the shelf already opened for TEN days. So we were graced with a fresh glass of the cab. Even though we asked to talk to the manager, the manager never addressed the concern expressed to the server and delivered the glass without ever having acknowledged our request for the initial wine order, to talk to him, and the out-of-whack “date policy” they seem to have for keeping it “in play”. If they are going to have good wines on the menu but serve them after they’ve gone bad why not just serve box wine? I know many people who would have looked at the restaurant’s wine list before coming and, if they’d been treated similarly, walked out. Unfortunately we needed to accommodate people at our table who couldn’t easily be relocated to another restaurant or I would have walked out (as would my sister who has run restaurants). If they plan to serve decent wines by the glass I strongly recommend they train their managers about how long they last and what good customer service looks like. We will not be back.More

Date of visit: July 2021
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Reviewed May 23, 2021 via mobile

Excellent place for lunch or dinner. Food is outstanding great cocktails. Nice atmosphere. Great for a date night or family dinner.

Date of visit: May 2021
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Reviewed May 17, 2021

The food is amazing, and the dinner menu has something for everyone! I definitely want to go again for brunch. My family and I ordered the salmon and burger and both were incredible. A fancier place to go in East Lansing for great food and...a nice atmosphere.More

Date of visit: May 2021
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed May 2, 2021

This place rarely disappoints! The ambiance is wonderful; the menu is full of interesting food choices; and the waitstaff is attentive.

Date of visit: March 2021
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed October 11, 2020 via mobile

A nice place for socially distanced outside dining. Impressive variety of choices with a lot of vegetarian options. Service was excellent and good was good quality and served hot. We had a nice time and will go back.

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed August 26, 2020

Accidently stopped in the Black Cat to have a quick bite and take a work call. Chris and Sydney provided excellent service and the Summer Salad was one of the best salads I have ever had! The restaurant is quaint with a nice outdoor area...but inside cozy yet upscale ambiance. So glad I bumped into it.More

Date of visit: August 2020
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed March 10, 2020

We go to East Lansing once a year and the Black Cat has been very good on our 2 trips there. My bone in pork chop with the corn grits was the best entrée we ordered, but the salmon and flat iron steak were also...very good. The sea scallops and mac n cheese tots were also top notch. I kept the rating at 4 stars only because my wife's duck was not very good. It was dry and the black currant demi glaze was not well done. But thumbs up to the Black Cat, just skip the duckMore

Date of visit: March 2020
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed January 7, 2020

had the poached egg with hollandaise on crab cake. The crab cake was so salty that it did not contribute to the dish. It is served with potatoes that are heavily oiled. The hollandaise sauce was runny. All in all not the best experience. My...partner had the egg and brie and was equally unexcited.More

Date of visit: January 2020
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Reviewed December 8, 2019

MSU area; walking distance of the Marriott. Our waitress, Alyssa, was excellent. She allowed us to talk without being an interference. She provided excellent service in every way. Both of us ordered walleye and just as Alyssa said, the walleye was excellent.

Date of visit: December 2019
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THE BLACK CAT BISTRO, East Lansing - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Black Cat Bistro

The Black Cat Bistro is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 3.5
  • Atmosphere: 4