4.5 For me, Black Cat is easily the best restaurant in Main St. in Cambria. It has delicious and varied foods, a nice selection of wines, and a nice wait staff (minus the bus boy who was a complete buzz kill). The unfriendly bus boy, who appeared to be on the brink of suicidal (awkward) seated us. Once this was over, things greatly picked up. As others have mentioned, the seating is a little bizarre, but every place on Main St. is very small and they have to make due. So I sympathize. I wasn't too keen on the couple who made small talk with us near the end of our meal due to how close our tables were - but I think I'll get over it. The second I opened my menu, my eyes immediately zoom in on...LA TUR CHEESE! Say what?! That's my favorite cheese...I can hardly find anyone I know who even knows what this is and now your telling me it's on the menu at Black Cat?! Hell yes! Poor boyfriend, he had no chance explaining what appetizer he would like because before he could even think twice, I was ordering it. It was a very fairly small piece and came with a few crackers and a jam. $7 for this delicious Northern Italy import may seem like a lot to some, but if you know what this goes for in the store, it's not so bad. That's enough cheese snob for me...onto the main courses. I decided to order the ahi tuna paired with the suggested wine, a rose of grenache. The Mr. went with the scallops and a craft beer. Both of our drinks were great! Our meals were also excellent and I was so happy to be eating seared tuna with shitake mushrooms in Camrbria. Naturally, I had to call my parents and let them know about the great meal that they just missed out on. We didn't stick around for dessert because we wanted to try the ollalieberry pie at Linn's. Black Cat is so good! read more

Wow. I wish I could package Black Cat Bistro in a little box, pack them in my suitcase, and have them here down south in Santa Ana. A great little place. Classy and upscale with a simple decor - which is why we sat at the bar for a more relaxed evening! They have outdoor seating too on a covered patio but it was cold and rainy. I got the scallops with corn pudding and Oh. My. Freaking. God. it was amazing. Scallops had a crusty sear with a slight sweet delicate texture inside. The sauce was very rich, but didn't mask the salty sweet of the scallop. Sautéed and slightly caramelized mushrooms and bitter microgreens added depth and punch to the dish. The best part about the meal is the corn pudding. Eggy, spongy, moist, sweet and savory - I didn't even feel the need for dessert. read more

Black Cat Bistro - Scallops and corn pudding with brown butter sauce and sautéed mushrooms - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

Like all the other restaurants in Cambria, it's a nice cozy little place if you want to relax and go on a date. The ambiance is very homely. I did enjoy the food. The scallops were great and that pork belly was excellent, if not soooo bad for you. The best thing here is definitely the duck. Nice and soft and not particularly gamey. However, I'm not sure if the food justified the price. It's fine dining, of course, but with so many other options, not sure if this would be on the top of my list. Still, if you've never been, give it a try. read more

First of all nothing about our experience was particularly bad, just the experience as a whole was not great... We were seated at 6:30 on a Sunday night with no wait. . . Because there was no one else in the restaurant. Luckily by 7 some people started to filter through. I had the brussel sprout appetizer which was pretty good and contained a great portion. My mom had the arugula salad and enjoyed it. Then she had the cheese plate and it was ok. I had the pork chop which was good but covered in a very sweet sauce that there was way too much of and a good amount of brussel sprouts (not complaining about the sprouts as I clearly like them). Hiding beneath was a little bit of mashed potatoes that were delicious but not nearly enough of. The server was rather in attentive and I had to go up to the bar to ask him if we could order. Also, it was rather stuffy inside but you cannot open the windows which seems strange. We are prepared to spend a lot of money on food, but this place was not worth it. Try the Pub instead. read more

Wow! Wow! Wow! Everything on the menu looked so delicious. I had the lamb rack. And I have to say it is in the top that I have had. I travel the world and it is on par with my other favorite I had at the Monserrate in Bogota, Colombia. read more

Black Cat Bistro - Rack of lamb - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

So I went here after going to Hearst Castle for the holiday weekend. It was the highest rated restaurant in the area. They were booked but we went anyway and got a table in about 30 minutes. Food and Service...amazing !!!! From the mushroom gnocchi to the French Onion soup for appetizers to the Flat Iron Steak and the Chipotle Shrimp Fettuccini every bite was fantastic. Goat Cheese Cheesecake and some Chocolate Mousse with some French Press coffee rounded out an amazing meal. Definitely one of the top 5 meals I've had and out the door with a glass of wine to boot for about $100. read more

We sat next to a couple that was obviously on a make it or break it trip. Suffice it to say, I think they won't make it. The tension on that side of the room was thick like molasses! Skirt steak with chipotle was amazing! Our daughter (7 yrs old) ordered the abalone and my heart ordered the lamb chop.... We got many compliments from the hostess and diners at how well behaved our daughter was....table manners and all.... We were very proud that night....and the food was amazing... And many were amazed princess ate ABALONE... Thank you my heart for this wonderful treat! read more

My fiancé took me here after he proposed in October. We went around 5:30pm on a Friday evening & the place was empty, so we had it all to ourselves which was nice. The dim light & candlelit tables were perfect for admiring my new ring! :) The food was absolutely incredible! I got the scallops (heavenly in every way!) & he got the duck. Usually, I eat more clean and healthfully, so the VERY rich food didn't necessarily agree with me but OH MY GOSH was it good!!! My fiancé, who eats rich food more, said it was fine for him. Service was excellent, ambiance was quaint and classy, and the food was VERY typical rich, upscale French cuisine. We'll definitely be back there on our next trip to Cambria! read more

Small house turned into a cozy restaurant. Make reservations ! Very tasty pork belly, mushroom bisque for starters Whitefish was good, I requested the potatoes to be substituted with Brussel sprouts. Duck breast was succulent. Dark chocolate and caramel dessert was good to finish with. Decent wine selections. read more

WOW! This place is awesome! Hint: You, reading reviews wondering where you are going to take your sweetheart on a trip, her nagging you about always going to the sports bar or hanging with your friends. Want to get back on her good side? Step 1: Reserve a room in San Simeon (get an ocean view you cheap-o) Step 2: Visit the Hurst Castle on a day trip, truly amazing. Step 3: GO TO BLACK CAT BISTRO. Step 4: Enjoy the immense amount of adult affection you will now be receiving. On a serious note, the food here is great, the service is awesome, the ambiance is perfect. This is a gem tucked away in the trees of Cambria. I suggest the scallops and the pork belly appetizer. I will be back very soon! read more

The VERY BEST in Cambria! Do NOT miss the stuffed fried green olives! The seared Cesar salad was a treat! And the seared ahi tuna sublime! Thank you for making my 20th Anniversary so special! read more

Extraordinaire! Fabuleux! I am French... worse... I'm Parisian! So I know a little bit about great food. Let me tell you, I had a mouth orgasm there! I had the shrimp, green beans and rice starter... the sauce was to die for (keep the recipe in a vault...). Then a chocolat desert along with a bacon biscuit... The wine was excellent as well! Worth every penny and I've tried other restaurants in Cambria. read more

Old house converted to a cozy restaurant. Nice ambiance and kind waiters. Excellent meat and fish dishes. I had the jumbo shrimps and I have to say I have eaten the best tomatoes ever and my husband took the lamb and had a blast. The wine menu is impressive ! We are from France and could really enjoy the California wine! A little pricy but we had a very good time! read more

OVERALL SUMMARY: Nice, small restaurant and bar tucked into an old converted house serving good food (not great) with a relaxing and intimate atmosphere, and a friendly and responsive staff. REASON FOR VISIT: I went here with my husband for a romantic anniversary dinner. TIPS: * Make a reservation first, especially if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night. * Parking is limited in the parking lot. Drive around the back to find more parking. * Consider having the hotel staff where you are staying make the reservation for you (if possible). Sometimes this makes a difference in getting the best seat or personal service because you were referred by a trusted ally. WHERE THEY SHINED: The appetizer (fig and goat cheese bruschetta) and our salads (Caesar for my husband, arugula and strawberry for me) were very good. We also had N.C.T. (new chocolate thing) for dessert--very yummy! The service was great, the staff were friendly and responsive. The food was good, but not as great as I had anticipated based on the type of restaurant, the staff, and the prices. WHERE THEY LACKED: The entrees were a little overpriced. My husband had the rib eye and I had the duck. They were both good, but not mouth-watering and full of flavor. Personal touches. I told our server that we were celebrating our anniversary and she smiled. She was friendly but there were no special touches like a personalized dessert (like we experienced at Bridges in Danville, CA by surprise), discounted price (or perhaps dessert), or champagne to toast the occasion. I had read other reviews where the personal touches were part of the appreciation for this place, but this was not our experience. FINAL THOUGHTS: I would not choose this restaurant again because I thought it was a little overpriced for the food. But, overall, it was a nice place with great service. read more

Awesome family owned restaurant on Main Street in Cambria. Reasonable pricing along with good prices and friendly faces make this a great place to grub. read more

Our party of six had an absolutely delightful supper on Saturday night. We chatted happily with Chef Deborah before and after the meal. We shared three appetizers, six different entrees, two different wines (from the local Four Vines winery), and three desserts including the chocolate souffle. Everything was excellent. This was a San Francisco-quality meal in the little town of Cambria. So we recommend it highly, and will return on our next trip. read more

I'd give this place a 10 if it were available. From the moment we walked in the door, everything was top notch. My wife's seared Ceasar salad and my quail appetizer were fantastic. The two entrees were similarly above and beyond - duck breast for me and three cheese polenta for her. In addition the wine recommendations were perfect (and I NEVER do this). To make the evening even more perfect, all of the staff especially our waitress, Angie, were warm, friendly and accommodating. A definite GO TO if you are in Cambria, CA. read more

The restaurant is in a lovely little house and feels very cozy. The food was good but not great. I had a gnocchi dish which could have had more flavor. I honestly can't remember much about the meal...it was decent but not a "wow" where I took photos and notes. read more

We stopped at this place for dinner during our vacation in Cambria and would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. First off we had to sit in the screened in porch since we had our dog with us which is fine, however the state of it was honestly quite horrendous. There were spiders hanging from the ceiling and on our table and the floors literally consisted of straight up plywood. The floors were so bad we had to put a towel down from our car for our dog to lay on. For as nice of a restaurant this was on the inside, I feel that the outside seating should not have looked like this. We ordered our drinks and they brought us bread which was nothing special. Once we got our food and tried the first bite all of us had the same consensus that everything was very bland. I got the flank steak and it tasted as if it had no seasoning on it at all and I had to ask them to bring me salt and pepper. We also had gotten the lentil soup, the strawberry salad, and the braised lamb. Everything tasted very bland however the braised lamb was not bad but the portion size for the amount of money it cost was very small. Our waitress did not come out once to ask us how our food was or if we needing anything. We then had another party seated next to us who seemed to have gotten better treatment than us. They received very nice looking (and bigger) menus while we received some crappy little tiny menus that were falling apart. Then when they got their food there was a second waiter waiting to serve them pepper on their salads which we were not offered. Overall this place is just altogether not a nice place to eat at with the service being terrible, the food being less than mediocre, and the prices way too high for the quality of food they give you. Maybe the people who sit inside get better treatment. Think twice before you decide to come to this place! read more

This is a hidden treasure, but I guess it was only hidden to me. We had always gone to the other popular place in town and wanted to try something new. Within walking distance of downtown shops. Food was very good. The pork chop that had garnered praises was good, but the scallops were fantastic. Nice wine selections and a savvy server who helped with pairing. Service was excellent and food arrived in a timely manner. Very small, be sure to take a moment and make your reservation online. read more

I found this little gem of a restaurant by searching the best places to eat in Cambria. The reviews were good, enough to get us to check it out for our Anniversary dinner, but it was the negative reviews that sealed the deal for us! Reservations are a must. The Black Cat has a European sensibility to it. The dining area is small, but comfortable. The menu is limited to maximize the presentation and quality of the portions. Keep in mind that some items may run out, so be sure to ask your server for availability. That being said, we had a delightful time. Our server had good recommendations for us and every course was a winner. Our entrees were the three cheese polenta with eggplant and the fennel-encrusted halibut. The polenta was savory; the halibut was delicate and fresh. Dessert was a delicious chocolate souffle with orange flower ice cream and an order of toffee bread pudding. This meal was satisfying, well-presented and well-prepared. It is clear that the chef takes great care in crafting her meals. We can't wait to go again and try new dishes, as we were told that the menu changes with regularity. Well done, Black Cat. read more

Since we didn't have reservations and didn't want to wait, so the 4 of us dined at the bar. We had great service and the food was delicious. We tried some appetizers, cheeses, and also had 2 dinners(Salmon & rack of lamb). Everything tasted great and was presented nicely. We also indulged in some pinot noir and champagne and neither of those was a let-down. Although it was a little pricey, the meal was worth it and I I would definitlely return if in the area. read more

The context; Saturday night, 8ish, just after prime dinner hour, no reservations. We only had to wait for a table to be cleared to be sat. Our server was dignified with a sense on humor; while treating us very respectably, he was also quite ready to joke with us and the 6 ladies on a bachelorette dinner who asked him to take his shirt off (other than that, it was pg13). He was very attentive. Service 5. Atmosphere. It is a quirky, small space. There are three or four different rooms, including a small bar area that is adjacent to the kitchen. The doorway between one dining room and the bar flanked by the wine racks, which are an extension of the wall. Classic printed cushions, pictures on the white walls, dimly lit with candles. Very well executed for such a small space. They add a little story about the spot in the menu. Score 5. Food and beverage. Superb. We enjoyed the goat cheese and fruit bruschetta, pork belly with giant beans and duck confit appetizers. Plenty of food with dessert. We had the salt caramel pot de creme with chocolate ganache and bacon shortbread and the buttermilk pound cake with stone fruit and basil syrup. Excellent list of wines, including local wines. The beer list is fare, but I was very impressed to see there were beer as well as wine pairings in the menu. I wish more restaurants did this. Beer is sooo under-valued!!! Score 5. Yeah, I think this is my new favorite spot. The bonus point, of course, is the name and the black cat picture in the bar. Bonus points if cats are involved, so really it should get 5+! read more

Loved it! This was a recommendation from our innkeepers at Burton Inn. Very nice service. We had the warm polenta salad, and I had the seared scallops (there were 3 so don't expect a whole plate of em), and my husband had the rare ahi tuna. He loved it!! We finished it off with chocolate souflee. It had to be made 30 minutes in advance. It was wonderful with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream on the side. We brought our own bottle of wine and the paid the corkage fee of $15. They did have a lovely wine selection though. This place is very romantic with the cozy seating and the dim lighting. read more

The hubby and I were in town celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary this past weekend and chose Black Cat for our anniversary meal and were not disappointed. In fact, we would rate this as one of the best meals we've had in our lives. The service was amazing - 5 stars. The food was amazing - 5 stars. The wine and champagne were amazing - 5 stars. The price fit the meal and experience - 5 stars!!! I cannot wait to go back to this place. We started with champagne and some cheese (I highly recommend this experience) and then moved onto some wonderful wines which we sampled at no charge. My husband had the flat iron steak for his entree (delicious and cooked perfectly) and I had the chipotle chicken/pasta disk (again, fantastic). We finished with the salted caramel tart and a new delectable chocolate cake/truffle type dessert that was new and hadn't been name yet. Everything was.... amazing. If I were to die tomorrow, I would demand one more meal here. read more

Sometimes, the best things come in the smallest sizes. This restaurant is evidence of this truism. Service was attentive but not tacky or nosy. We were promptly seated in one of the little rooms which was cozy, but very comfortable. Our server was very very helpful in selecting appetizers and beers before we ordered entrees, and the bread was absolutely delicious. When it came to the entrees, we sampled a number of their regular menu items including the duck, the new york steak, and the veggie polenta, and all were perfectly done and very tasty. The portions seemed perfectly sized, too. The real gem here was dessert, though. They actually had a homemade Ding-Dong... iced chocolate cakes with a goat cheese center. Creative and absolutely yummy. There was nothing -- and I mean nothing -- that I would have wanted done differently about our meal, about the service, and about the facility itself. It was one of those perfect meals that come so rarely... and, really, if one of the primary complaints in other reviews stems from Black Cat's size, that's saying a lot, IMHO -- yes, the place is small, but damn do they serve a good meal. read more

Second visit, second 5-star rating... My first review says it all but I'll still say more: Dining here can make a person upset they didn't find it sooner. I'm fairly convinced it would be challenging to find a better meal anywhere in the central coast. In fact, we're hard pressed to think of a place we'd rather eat anywhere (if given the choice).... Pure awesome in a non-pretentious atmosphere. Highest quality meats and produce largely source from local farms and a small, seasonal menu. Some of the best beers, wines and deserts to boot. This place is worth every penny. I only wish Black Cat would cater our wedding this Summer but I understand why they don't get into that level of insanity. My only plea is: may this review inspire you Black Cat people to keep aspiring to higher levels of excellence. may it not inspire complacency and big-headedness ;) read more

One of the best meals I have ever had! This place is amazing. I had the scallops with corn pudding. For desert, we shared the salted caramel tart with chocolate ganache and chipotle caramel drizzle. This is one of those places where you should go out of the way to experience. read more

Thanks for the reply to my review, service is easier to perfect than the menu so I'm encouraged to return to re-review. After a week in the central coast The Black Cat is the best meal we had and the meal we've been judging all others by. read more

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Came here for dinner for my birthday after going to the Hearst castle . This is a nice restaurant were you can still be dressed casual . I had the rack of lamb which tasted amazing , wish it would have been a little more filling I was still hungry after. Besides that I was very satisfied with how my meal tasted . The staff seemed kind of dry not really sociable . I'd come here again and recommend others to come here also read more

Black Cat Bistro - Rack of lamb - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

This was our second time at this quaint, superb restaurant in Cambria. It is in a historic house and we enjoyed sitting by the fireplace. The food is top quality as well as the service. The fresh catch of the day was super delish. read more

Do go! Lovely place. The sea scallops are superb. Expensive place, but they know how to prepare food to perfection. Worth it!

We made reservations at the Black Cat Bistro based on other Yelp reviews, and were VERY glad we did. When making the reservation we noted we were celebrating our anniversary. The waiter (Joseph, who BTW rocks!) greeted us at our cozy table for two with champagne on the house. Maybe not the very best champagne, but still that special touch was very nice. We started with the 3 cheeses, then heirloom tomatoes with buratta, the salad with figs and gorgonzola (and spicy pecans) and then this amazing scallop dish on corn pudding. We split everything so we could fit it all in. Ended the evening with french pressed tea and coffee, since we had dessert and port back at the room. As I mentioned earlier, Joseph really was great. He was helpful with some wine pairing and we never had to look for him to get his attention. OH, and the water slightly flavored with cucumber was good as well. The charm of the restaurant is that it is a small place, but an old historic building (I can't remember all the history of it at the moment). Definitely make reservations here the next time you are in Cambria. Enjoy! read more

BELIEVE THE HYPE! We went to dinner here because it was the highest rated place in Cambria (Thanks again, Yelp!) and you all were right, this place is awesome! The table water is infused with a bit of cucumber. Not a big deal, but a very nice touch that shows management cares. The fresh bread was delicious. My wife and I both ordered the same thing: Sockeye salmon with leeks. Flavors, seasoning, textures and overall preparation were perfectly balanced. This has become one of those places we'll talk about for years to come. For dessert: Meyer lemon goat cheese cake. Seriously. The lemon was so subtle, it only served to enhance the flavor of this dish. (I don't like lemon desserts, but my wife was in charge of choosing the dessert) Service was very good as well. Our water glasses were never too close to empty, our waiter was very nice and knowledgeable. Overall, a very positive dining experience that I hope to repeat soon! read more

I want to write an update to my previous review. First i appreciate the response from the Black Cat Staff. Also i want to share some 5 star service, despite our less than wonderful review. After all that, we left a purse (not mine LOL, my girl) at the restaurant. How is the for ironic..leave a harsh review, forget an item. The restaurant not only went out of their way to mail the purse to us as we were already out of the area, all of the contents were untouched. This is highly unusual in this day and age. Thank you black cat for the amazing meal (less the desert) and the amazing honest customer service! Adam read more

This was our second visit to the Black Cat and we will be back! Last year we dropped in after doing some wine tasting. It is very small and we did not have a reservation. But they do have a small intimate bar that they also serve dinner at. We shared the flat iron steak which melted in your mouth and enjoyed a great evening talking to the other people who were eating at the bar and the bartenders. We were just there again and made reservations. When we arrived we were shown to a great romantic table. We started with the the grilled Caesar salad and arugula salad. Both were Very fresh and flavorful. Out of the oven warm bread. We then shared the cheese of the day - from a local cheese maker. Can we say amazing! Yes absolutely wonderful! The cheese came with a jelly, spiced nuts and a bacon baked short bread. Wow! Entrees were the linguini and the duck. Both were amazing. The wine by the glass list is impressive and allowed us to have some red and white to complement the meal. Though we were stuffed we finished the meal with the salted caramel tart with dark chocolate drizzle. And yes somehow ate the whole thing :). Amazing! The staff was very attentive without being overbearing. Great smiles and friendly suggestions. Given the intimate setting the diners were chatting with each other and enjoying the evening. Would recommend calling for reservations or don't feel shy about having dinner at the bar. Both are great experiences! read more

Sometimes just walking into a place is enough to get a "good feeling," and that's exactly what happened as my wife and I entered Black Cat Bistro in always beautiful Cambria. The place was pretty well packed, understandable for an early Saturday evening, but still a good sign. Packed or not, we were quickly taken to a lovely little booth and immediately ordered a glass of wine. The dinner menu is full of temptations (here's a sample menu http://www.blackcatbistro.com/food/), but I decided to order an abalone appetizer to start. In my experience, abalone can range from a springy, rubber-like ordeal to something delicate and astoundingly delicious, and I'm happy to report that what I was served was a great example of the latter. In the spirit of fairness, I must confess that the burre blanc used was, to my taste, a touch too acidic, but I'm really going out of my way to paint a clear picture of my experience. I then ordered a gorgeous lamb shank, which chef/owner Deborah Scarborough braises for 10 hours, and comes with couscous and a red wine reduction. The lamb was lovely, virtually falling off the bone, truly memorable. While I seldom give in to such temptations, for dessert I ordered a cheese cake made from goat's milk. The "Lemon & Happy Acres Chevre Cheesecake" (with gingersnap crust, pomegranate molassesand fresh pomegranate) was simply too tempting to pass. I wasn't disappointed! My wife's experience was equally enjoyable. Being a vegan, we called well ahead to give chef Scarborough a heads up. I'll let my wife describe her experience. Check her blog and see what she had to say at: http://thevalleyvegan.com/2013/06/23/black-cat-bistro/ Our experience at Black Cat Bistro was memorable. The service was always attentive and professional, not to mention simply pleasant, and the atmosphere homey and welcoming. The seating is a touch tight, but reasonably so, and because of it, we ended up having a lovely conversation with a couple sitting next to us (wine does lubricate the social mechanism). I thought long and hard before deciding on a four and not five-star rating, but finally concluded that the highest rating should be saved for extraordinary, truly transcendental experiences, and lovely as our dining experience was, it was not quite that. Nevertheless, if you find yourself traveling through or staying in Cambria, you won't find a finer place to spend a beautiful evening. Highly recommended. read more

Black Cat Bistro - "Lemon & Happy Acres Chevre Cheesecake" at Black Cat Bistro - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

Appetizers were fried green olives stuffed with Gorgonzola and quail with radicchio ....both excellent. We then had Caesar salads and arugula salad with goat cheese and candied walnuts...also excellent. Our entrees were gnocchi with shiitake mushrooms in an Asiago cheese sauce; lamb shank with fried kale and roasted vegetables; and a rib eyes steak with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables All meals were excellent with no complaints from any one at the table. Service was great . Prices reasonable for the quality of the food!! Highly recommend read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Black Cat Bistro. The menu had so many wonderful things, it was hard to choose! We stated with fried blue cheese stuffed olives and the pan roasted abilone. I got the pork chop and it was amazingly good. My hisband loves the sea scallops. My kids had the duck and it was really good too! The clam chowder was the best I've ever had! Great wine list and nice ambiance. A must when in Cambria! read more

Really delicious and a cute little place! The ribeye was soooo good with a perfectly paired sauce and veggies. I'll definitely be back. Yum! read more

Black Cat Bistro - One of the best meals I've had. Ribeye medium and omg! Green onions made it, along with quinoa. YUM! Is that universal enough? Delish! - New American Near Me - Cambria, California