So, I came to Pairings Bistro with my wife for her birthday on a Tuesday night. Ian was our server. All I can say is that the service started out awful. The waiter (Ian) was poorly dressed shirt untucked, needed a shave, and his hair was -- lets just say looked like he just woke up from a 16 day meth binge in a bathroom in a subway station. As we were seated I heard the manager ask a server "will someone please take 7" which I can only imagine was our table. I ordered an initial glass of wine that was delivered and had a fruit fly in it, however Ian did not come to check on us, I had to stand up and ask a different server for help. Ian delivered a new glass of wine and the glass was dirty, I did not complain about that. I then told him we were ready to order and he said "okay"and walked away, when he returned I said in a joking manner "I thought you forgot about us" he replied "Yeah, I heard you".... I'm so pissed I don't even want to continue with this review. Ok so the first course (soup) came out and it was very good the Butternut Squash soup and the Crab soup paired with wine, was very good. The next course was the Shrimp and Grits absolutely amazing. I then went with the lamb chops which were delicious (however there was a long black hair on the plate that wasn't noticed until after the portion was complete), a sad way to end such a good dinner. My wife's meal the crispy scallops was forgettable and a pass in the future. Over all the food was good, the Servers need consistency and to be cleaned up. I don't want to be at a restaurant of this caliber and look at my server like wow is he out back getting stoned when he disappears for 16 minutes at a time.
(2)
Earl W.
Short and sweet review. I am picky. With that in mind, the food tasted great, the service was excellent and the decor very modern. Terrific experience.
(5)
Charles D.
I have been to Pairings numerous times. I proposed to my wife here (it's that great of a place). I almost speechless for how good this place is.
(5)
Philip R.
Fantastic prix fixed menu at unbelievable prices!,,4 courses for $41. Happy hour 4-7 with half priced 6 Oz wines! Never had anything bad here.....cream of crab outstanding!
(5)
Janet S.
Wonderful dining experience - enjoyed the 4 course meal from start to finish. The wait staff was friendly and engaging, offering suggestions and very attentive !! Next visit plan to do the pairings with wines for every course.
(5)
Morgan S.
Wonderful experience. Atmosphere was spectacular, and the food was phenomenal! Best hidden gem of Harford. It is a little more expensive, but absolutely worth the price. Erin, Eric, and Guy are wonderful servers, who make me feel like home whenever i come in. Great Staff, Great Food, 10 out of 10!!!
(5)
Bob C.
The food was delicious......if you have 2 1/2 hours to wait for lunch!! VERY slow lunch service. Second time this has happened so I eel I need to vent. They knew this and did nothing to compensate my table of 5 Very disappointed.
(2)
Jennifer K.
Excellent restaurant in Bel Air. This a nice non-chain variation for this area. A perfect place for special occasions or just a high-end meal any time. Scallops, shrimp and grits, crab soup, beet salad--all excellent. Their price fix menus are a great deal. There's a nice little wine shop in the front of the restaurant. Don't be turned off by the fact Pairings is located in a strip of offices and stores. Atmosphere inside is nicer than expected.
(4)
Amber H.
Pairings is a great little gem for foodies in an otherwise chain restaurant infested town. While the restaurant can barely seat 40 people, I have full confidence that they could fully book a space 4 times its size. The food is truly delicious. My husband had cream of crab soup, scallops over sweet potato hash, steak au poivre, and tres leches trifle. He said the cream of crab was the best he's had from a restaurant (even though there was very little actual crab meat in the soup itself), the scallops were the best he's EVER had, the steak was cooked perfectly, and the trifle was the perfect size and full of flavor. I had the french onion soup, the bbq shrimp over habanero cheddar grits, steak au poivre, and espresso creme brulee. The bbq shrimp had that wonderful smokey "hot of the grill" flavor and the cheddar grits were surprisingly good (I had never had grits before). My steak was also cooked perfectly and was juicy and full of flavor. My favorite dessert of all time is creme brulee and the espresso creme brulee here was to die for! I was so full from the meal that I said I would only be able to eat half of it but I ended up eating the whole thing! The couple things I had issue with was: 1) Both main course dishes that my husband (Chicken Marsala) and I (Braised Beef Short Ribs) orginally wanted to order were out of stock. Also my husband wanted Red Velvet Cheesecake for dessert but they were out of that too. It was pretty disappointing that two of the six entree choices weren't available, two of the five dessert choices (Red Velvet Cheesecake & Warm Brownie) weren't available, and the hummus appetizer wasn't available. That is quite a significant amount of deletions for a menu that is already borderline skimpy. Don't get me wrong, the food is delicious but they could add a few more entree options for sure! 2) I ordered the french onion soup to start with because it is one of my favorite soups of all time. To say I am a soup connoisseur is an understatement. So when I tasted my husband's cream of crab I was very excited because it was delicious and that led me to think mine would be equally delicious. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The flavor was just not as full-bodied as I would have hoped. The broth needed a bit more depth and dimension. But that wasn't my biggest issue with the soup. The crouton that every traditional french onion soup has on top was excessively large. There was so much soggy bread and so very little broth left over that it ruined the whole thing for me. 3) The portions for the appetizers were small. If the appetizer is 13 dollars then you should get more than two scallops or two shrimp. My husband loves scallops and said they were so so good but just two for $13? Same thing goes for my bbq shrimp...they were amazing but there were only two for $13. They should at least have 3 scallops/shrimp/etc. for an app that price. Despite those criticisms, I really did enjoy my first visit to Pairings Bistro and I would recommend it to all my friends without hesitation. We will be back for sure!
(4)
Steve N.
We thought we'd give this a try because it was Baltimore Restaurant week. Got a three course meal and wine pairings for $43. We loved it! It's very small but they have near term expansion plans. The food and wine selections were superb. Everyone raved about the dessert wine selections. They also have a wine shop at very reasonable prices plus a 10% discount. The service was a bit slow but it was busy due to the popularity of restaurant week. We may go back but it's over 40 miles from the "Dena".
(4)
Megan M.
Delicious food and an excellent experience overall. Anthony was our server and he was attentive and had a great personality. The cream of crab soup was definitely the highlight of my 4 courses, but everything was delicious. I had the caprese salad, seabass and peach crepes as well. My husband had the NY Strip, cream of crab, oysters app and whatever cake Anthony recommended for dessert. We both loved everything. The wine pairings were also very good, but we aren't wine snobs. The only thing I'd change is to have the tables for two less cramped. Luckily, we didn't have anyone sitting on either side of us for most of the meal. They tried to seat a couple next to us when we were starting our last course, but the couple asked to be moved outside (and then apologized to us and said it wasn't us, they just didn't want to sit that close to anyone - which we completely understood). You can definitely hear everyone's conversations in the row of two-tops.
(5)
Mike G.
Great service and food. The portions were surprisingly on the large side for the four course prix fixe. The service was great, and our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. All of my courses were delicious and were wonderfully paired with a corresponding wine. The atmosphere was nice, except we were directly across from the kitchen, and the staff had some crude conversations and had put a UFC fight on the TV closest to us. While that type of humor is right up my alley, it would has easily offended some. The stool I was seated at was a bit uncomfortable as well. Overall a very positive experience, I will definitely be back.
(4)
Mike K.
It's a great place! Servers were all knowledgeable and courteous. It's the type of restaurant you would want to come back to over and over, just to try everything. One of the nicest outdoor seating areas you'll find considering it's in a strip mall. We did the Prix Fixe menu with pairings. Cream of Crab soup was outstanding and comes with a warm french roll and a pitcher of sherry for extra punch. If you don't like a wine, send it back for something different. Who's counting? Garden salads were fresh and inventive. We had Rainbow trout enhanced with fennel, mushrooms. Creme brule for dessert, two varieties, all great with custard so thick we couldn't finish them (unfortunately).
(5)
Jalisa J.
I've only been to Pairings once, but am looking forward to going back sometime! I got the 3 course lunch prix fixe, which also comes with a wine pairing for each course. For my appetizer, I got the cream of crab soup which was delicious and even had a lump of crab meat on the spoon. My main course was a sandwich - it wasn't my favorite, but I've also had worse. And for my dessert, I got the crepes which were delicious. My favorite wine pairing was the Villa Jolanda Brachetta, which was surprising because I am not a huge fan of red wine. However, this wine was delicious and I'm hoping I can go back soon to purchase a bottle for myself! They also have a wide selection of wines and some beer that you can purchase for yourself at the front. The service I received here was great! The server was very nice, friendly, and knowledgable about the menu and also about wine and which wines would go great with which course. It wasn't very crowded here either, which was nice and overall, the environment was very nice. I'm hoping to go back once the weather gets warmer and you have the option to eat outside!
(5)
Kelly H.
I have been to Pairings twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner. Both experiences were very positive. Since I only got one thing I didn't like, I'm giving Pairings 5 stars. The firs time, I met with a friend for lunch and we both did the Lunch Prix Fixe with wine pairings, which is a really great deal because you get three glasses of wine (one per course), and the price is reasonable. though you may be leaving a little bit tipsy afterward... For my first course, I had the cream of crab soup, which is served alongside a glass bottle of sherry you can pour to taste, and a huge lump of crab meat on the spoon. I thought the cream of crab was pretty tasty and went well with the Chardonnay they had chosen to pair it with. I also had the grilled chicken pesto sandwich, which, between both experiences at Pairings, was the only thing that I wasn't wild about--it was kind of bland, nothing special. I'm figuring sandwiches aren't quite their specialty. I finished lunch with the Espresso Creme Brulee, which was which the waitress paired with the Villa Jolanda Brachetto--not what it is paired with on the menu, but the waitress insisted we try it instead. It is my new favorite sweet wine, a bubbly red. I actually came back and purchased a bottle for NYE. When I visited Pairings for dinner, I got the Duck Confit Wings, which were very tender and pretty much fell off the bone. I shared the Rosemary Truffle Fries with my boyfriend--they came with some sort of aioli, which was very good. We also split a charcuterie plate, which was fresh and came with these very sweet honeyed nuts which we were very pleased with. Both times I went to Pairings, I had great service. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Ryan H.
Tonight the food was great but our party of 6 adults was accused of going "behind the bar". This meant that we were informally asked to leave by a stocky woman with no respect for paying customers. We will never return here. Stay away
(1)
Zena S.
I love Pairings it's Romantic dining room with wine caskets as decor. Very nice. Our server Erik always does a fine job in knowing the menu and fully describing each dish for us. Great service! Great food! Close to home. A definite fav.
(4)
Shawn C.
We've eaten at, no dined (much better, more descriptive word) at Pairings many times; three this December alone and have been quite remiss because we've not written a review until now. We decided to celebrate 2014 New Years Eve here for a late night dinner and New Year's toast. Unlike the normal menu which has à la carte selections as well as the 4 and 5 course prix fixe with or without wine pairings, the New Year's Eve menu was only a 5 course dining experience with wine pairing (see pic). Our reservation was for 10:15pm and we arrived at 10. The hostess checked on our table and returned promptly very apologetically stating that the couple there was just starting their dessert course. She offered us each complimentary flutes of champaign and asked us if we minded waiting a little bit. When the hostess came to seat us, she again apologized stating that they planned 2 hours for each seating. From our point of view, Pairings managed the customer flow excellently as there were only 3 parties waiting on seating at 10:30 despite being totally full, which means they didn't over book or underestimate dining time. Some people just take longer to eat than others. The entire staff was polite, worked well together, and the flow was like a well oiled precision machine. The food is a masterpiece of art, stimulating your senses of sight, smell, and taste; last night was no different. Our 1st course we both had the sausage lentil soup, our 2nd Sheri had the Charred Tomato and Mozzarella salad, and I had the Orange and Cranberry salad; our 3rd, we both had the mushroom gnocchi (which was divine, but left me wanting for more mushrooms), for our main course Sheri had the Beef Medallion on polenta, and I had the succulent Quail on potatoes, and for desert Sheri had the Flourless chocolate torte, and I had the Blood orange sorbet. My review is based on their dinner service over multiple experiences, and sure there were a couple of bloopers, but our wait staff and the chef have always made it right!! You don't don't eat here for a quick meal, but you dine here for the experience to tantalize your senses. Pairings is an example of a unique dining experience you will want to enjoy many times over. They do not disappoint, and we'll continue to come back tone and again!!!
Amazing food... Very lovely inside, now with patio seating. Everything is delish! Great service too!
(5)
Joahnna F.
I am so glad my husband and I got to share a wonderful dining experience here. Every course we had was delicious. I would recommend the beet salad and the cream of crab as starters. For the crab, you get extra spoonful of lump crab and sherry wine to mix in! That has never been something additional with most cream of crab soups I have ordered at other restaurants. Get the creme brule- you can have 2 of the 4 flavors: vanilla, expresso, red wine, or pineapple. Even though this place was also a wine cellar, they have a great selection of beers too! Definitely plan on coming back!
Food is great- no question about that. The service was a bit slow in the end though. It seemed the waiter got caught up with other, bigger tables. The waiter assumed that we wanted the 'Prie Fix' sized meal instead of the entree sized serving although we didn't order from the PF menu itself, just two entrees. So, when the meal came out, the portions were rather small. Rather disappointing as the food was very tasty. The dining room was very loud as well, not good for a quiet dinner. The room's ceiling is made to look like a wine barrel, so I suspect the wood screws with the acoustics. Recommend that you sit in the original dining room, it seems quieter. Overall, if we weren't moving away from the area, we'd continue eating there. One of the best places in the Bel Air area.
(3)
Lindsay W.
Can we talk about how fantastic this place is? Omg 42 dollars for a four course meal! Cream of crab, salad, duck and creme brulee.. amazing. You can't leave this place without feeling full. My friends did the wine course and we're supposed to get 2oz per meal but they greatly over pour!!!
(5)
Chris M.
Great ambience, Amazing food, the staff is very professional and knowledgable about their wine selections. We did the 4 course meal with wine pairings. We had the cream of crab soup which amongst the best I've ever had and came with a glass of paired wine. Then the caesar salad with a glass of paired wine! (Awesome). Then our entrees also with paired wines (really awesome). And lastly, our desert with yet another paired glass of wine!!! At 60$ a person it was very very well worth it. This is now my favorite restaurant in Bel Air.. Pricey for a regular everyday night out but perfect for the special occasion!
(5)
Gill G.
Get either the 3-4-5 wine pairing meal or you can order a straight up dinner. The idea behind the restaurant is to sample wines which complement your foods instead of settling for the glass of unsweetened tea and 4 Domino sugars. If you liked the wines you had at dinner conveniently the restaurant has a small wine store for you to take a bottle home. The 4 meal option seemed to work best for my wife and I. Note: although I've only been the the restaurant 1x we absolutely loved it and since our visit, Pairings has expanded their venue to the usage of Rockfield Manor located off of Rt. 22 outside of the town of Bel Air. Call the restaurant for reservations, we have previously tried an impromptu and couldn't wait. This place is Great for special occasions and Rockfield seems to be offsetting the demand of the original tiny but quaint location behind Festival. All the food was good. Pork shoulder and filet was great, Cream of crab is primo and desert was heavenly. Also, my wife left very tipsy the portions were decent and the experiment with wines was exciting. Loved the barrel room.
I don't usually buy off on the wine pairing thing but this place may have made me a believer. Everything paired very well and the scallops were impeccable. I also thoroughly enjoyed the cream of crab soup!
(5)
Shane M.
The food is good, the service is okay. We arranged to meet friends for Sunday lunch and we had never been there. Our friends did their diligence online and each knew in advance of arriving what they wanted to eat from the online menu. To their surprise, The Sunday menu is only a brunch with limited items and my guests were disappointed. If you run a website, then be responsible enough to manage it and communicate on a timely basis when the menu changes. Proof is right here on Yelp's menu of that.
(3)
Olivia L.
I took my father here for his birthday since both my parents love wine. I was tipped by a friend that this place was great. The service right away was excellent and the hominess of the restaurant made our dinner experience that much better. They even gave us a complimentary champagne toast for my father's Bday. We did the fixed 4 course meal with the pairings...it's extra with the wine but worth it! We did the grilled wedge, cream of crab soup, shrimp & grits, and the chocolate crepes. Everything was delicious and they were able to switch out the wine paired if you were not a fan of white wine, or dry wine, etc. The only turn off was that when we got our soup it was cold and not even the right consistency....we sent it back and got new hot soup which made all the difference. Besides that everything was excellent! And if you liked a wine you tasted at dinner they had it in stock for you to purchase.
(4)
Amy T.
We come here all the time. The food and service are great. This is a go to place to entertain friends or for a nice meal.
(5)
Kristina Z.
I would go with the Pre Fixe option. It's perfectly matched wine/food parings. It is a bit expensive so I wouldn't go unless it was a special occasion, but that's just me! We do swing by for a glass, or two, of wine and a cheese plate once and awhile. They have great outdoor seating and singers on the weekends. It's a really nice spot!
(5)
Snake P.
Bar none the best restaurant in Harford County. Certainly not cheap, but the top notch service, imaginative and well-executed menu and the great wine pairings make it worth the price. Will keep coming back!
(5)
debbie a.
I just went here for lunch and even though my intial dish that I ordered turned out to be a fluke, I do not take stars off for that... I think the food would make this place a 3.5 star, but I thought I would round up because I like everything else about this place. hidden away from the main strip mall (Festival) this restaurant is a diamond in the rough. Atmosphere: the restaurant is quite small, but it also has a tasting room off to the side. The seating area is nicely decorated with large bottles of wine sitting along the wall for purchase. The walls are painted in a Tuscan yellow color with a marbled effect giving the place a nice warm feel against the dark grey bar when you walk in. The bar is also functions as the front desk when you walk in.. It's small, but it works. Food: The menu has great wine and food pairings and some of the menu items sound deicious - I loved the Cream of Crab Soup presentation The spoon held a few pieces of Colossal Lump Crab meat on the spoon and a small carafe of sherry to add to the soup and an angular cut pieces of baguette to dip. The entire plaate was dusted in Old Bay The soup was deliciously creamy and the sherry carafe added to it made it a little less rich which was GOOD in my case. The Seared rare Tuna BLT on French pullman bread was great. The tuna was cooked perfectly and delicious. The acoompanying salad had a djion-based Balsamic vinagrette with roasted veggies that was great. This dish actually my second choice, but because my first choice, the Prince Edward Island Mussels with Belgian Ale, shallots, bacon & bleu cheese had mussels with green bellies that tasted extremely off and bitter. Service: The service was prompt, attentive and polite. I discussed my issue with the mussels and she went directly to the chef and It was immediately taken off my bill and I was offered a second choice WITH a discount. The table next to mine was a little bit crabby about their food coming slowly, but I was fully aware that some of their food items would take some time to make (risotto). This place really takes the time with every dish.. they make it all from scratch - this really makes a difference. I plan on going back for dinner sometime soon and trying out more dishes - or maybe even their wine Flutes =)
This is my favorite restaurant in Hartford County. I have been here many times but do not frequent it all the time due to the fact that it can get a bit pricey when you enjoy food and wine as much as I do. I need to take advantage of some of their specials such as Sunday suppers. Usually when I go to Pairings, I will either order a full meals with all the courses and matched wine pairings or order several appetizer type dishes which allows us to sample a bit f everything. The wait staff is always outstanding. I have even made special requests to incorporate flavors from one dish into another, which was welcomed so much by the chef that he stopped by our table to hear our opinions on how it came out. It is clear they care about their food and are always trying new things, which I appreciate.
(5)
John M.
Took a friend to dinner based on her suggestion of Pairings Bistro. Not too large but a nice and comfortable decor. What is special about Pairings is that the food is great, but different from other restaurants these days the food portions were sized properly......not providing too much. Wines were recommended with each type of meal and were very good. Our choices of entrees, as examples, included a veal chop, grilled shrimp on couscous, and pork tenderloin served on a bed of rice. All were very well prepared and quite tasty. Only negative might be the arugula and melon salad was rather dry. Perhaps the melon was to add flavor but no dressing and not much taste.
(4)
Bill M.
We started with crab and artichoke dip - which was very good. I had scallops & pea risotto - very good, the scallops were cooked very well - however i question the need to bread them...but nonetheless they were very good along with the risotto. My Girlfriend Had the shrimp and grits - we thought the grits were very good - however the shrimp were completely overcooked...nearly inedible. We really didn't want to make a fuss...everything else was very good...the service was excellent. I like the option of small plates or larger ones depending on your particular appetite...we had the small plates and thought they were perfectly sized. The manager apologized for the shrimp and comped us some champagne...which we appreciated...we will probably return We had a good time and a nice experience here - 3 stars for the price...a little high - but not to high as to keep us away...just not that often
(3)
Juliet F.
Overall not a bad experience, but not the best I have had in my visits to MD. The service was generally good, our server was moderately attentive, but was she tried to be accommodating to my food needs and requests. The ambiance was present, but the music and acoustics could be tweaked to fit a better overall dinging experience. Music was too soft, creating lulls in the dining room where only eating, and service noises were heard. No full bar, beer and wine only. Food was under whelming. I ordered the pre fixe. The soup was cold, the salad still had dirt and grit on the leaves, and the steak was small, and pre cut.....in this case I think the size and unevenness of the steaks temperature wasn't great. This is after I was told they ran out of the duck 15 minutes after I ordered... Overall I wouldn't recommend it at the top of my list, but I wouldn't tell people to stay away.
(2)
Ji Y.
Last year, I happened to stumble upon this restaurant and my husband and I ended up dining here for our wedding anniversary. The food was really delicious and I just absolutely loved their french onion soup! Since the first impression was really good, I took my mom and sister to try out this place with me. When I got there, the place was pretty empty for a sunday evening. They had a Sunday Supper prefix menu too. I ended up getting their four course prefix menu with the wine pairings. Reminded of the delicious french onion soup, I was ready to order that when the waitress said they were out for the night. Ahh! I was highly disappointed but the cream of crab soup was good. The grilled pork chop did not have much flavor and my entree was just plain in taste and plating. For $57 bucks for dinner, I thought it would wow me like the last time but it was a disappointment. At least I got to go home with some bottles of wine with a 10% discount for dining in. Small wine store in the restaurant but a descent collection of wines.
(3)
John J.
Continues to be my favorite spot to eat in Harford County. We are so lucky to have this place up here (it would be great downtown....but don't tell them). Just had their winter menu. Spectacular. Great place for dinner for 1 or dinner for 10. I stop by for happy hour and just eat cheese and wine. Can't be beat in Bel Air. Thanks Pairings.
Service outshines food! We found Pairings Bistro 's service to be exceptional and the atmosphere to be very pleasant. Our server was very knowledgeable about wines and assisted us in finding exactly what we wanted. Now to the down side - we found the food to be very drab!!!! The steak ordered medium rare, was served medium. The turbot had no taste, very bland fish entree. The lobster mac & cheese could have used some substantial lobster pieces, especially for $15. The shrimp bisque was ok and the crab soup screamed for some sherry!!!! The desert of chocolate mousse was pedestrian at best and the cookies served in it, were soggy! We explained our dismain to our server and she asked to come back on a regular nite (this was a Valentine Special Dinner menu) and give them another chance , because this meal she said was more of a catered service. So we guess this serving was more of a heat it up and serve it type. I would think every meal is a chance to wow the customers! This evening did not meet the expectations that we had going in, but I guess this isn't the "Charleston" or the "Volt" type "Top Chef" restaurant. we thoiught it would be. The pricing is the same though. Going back???? Probably not!!! Bon Apetit!!!!
(2)
Sara W.
Wonderful service. Great food. Loved the frites. Our party was a little on the large side (8 people, including several kids), and they accommodated us perfectly. I will say that they have limited seating, with mainly two or three person tables. If you have a larger group, calling ahead would be recommended. All of the food we ordered was wonderful--well cooked, delivered quickly, and presented nicely.
(5)
Heather J.
Over the past few months, I've had a serious - and I mean serious (am I pregnant?) - craving for good lobster mac and cheese. I googled recipes, made it at home, and have scoured local menus online to find a place where I can find something to satisfy the craving. When I googled 'lobster mac and cheese bel air md,' Pairings Bistro was all that made the list. After talking about it for days with my coworker, we finally headed up there one lunch hour to check it out. Modern and wanna-be-tooty is how I would describe this place. It's located in the weirdest building - not a shopping center 'per se', but in a corporate office type environment next to like, foot doctors and colonoscopy centers with a bank in the parking lot. I'm exaggerating, I think it's next door to a rooty-tooty spa but I can't confirm that information. The service was acceptable. Not great, not bad. Nothing to complain about, nothing to rave about. Let me say - my water glass was never empty! The food - we ordered the Prix Fixe.. I selected Strawberry Soup w/ Mint Yogurt, *surprise!* Lobster Mac and Cheese, and Espresso Crème Brulee. The strawberry soup was basically a smoothie in a bowl - after one bite I wished I had opted for cream of crab. It was good for what it was though - except it took about 20 minutes to come out. We ate, and stared at empty bowls for about 10 minutes. The lobster mac and cheese was good, didn't satisfy my craving but acceptable. The Mediterranean salad it came with was delightful. My only complaint - from the time our soup bowls were whisked away to the time our main hit the table was another 25 minutes. After we finished eating, we stared at our empty plates for about 10 minutes before they were whisked away.. then stared at each other for about 15 minutes while we waited for dessert. It finally came.. I expected a light, crispy, caramelized top on my crème brulee, but instead it was black and tasted like someone had thrown marshmallows into a fire, then scraped them off the burnt logs and put them on top of Kraft pudding. It was very disappointing. Lunch took over 2 hours (not timely for the worker bees).. but I would like to go back again. On a Saturday. I would start with the cream of crab soup, then stick to the rest of my choices. I'll include the pairings, and pray for the dessert. Hopefully, it won't be burnt and if it is, hopefully the wine paired with it will get me drunk enough not to notice.
(3)
Melissa B.
Pairings Catering did much of the food for my husband's 40th birthday celebration this past weekend. Two dishes to note in this entry are the polenta crusted scallops with the red pepper aioli sauce. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the sauce was the perfect accompaniment. The grilled vegetable platter with the balsamic reduction was also delicious. Again, perfectly cooked and lovely assortment of veggies. The wait staff was so attentive to our guests and my husband and I...I didn't have to worry about a thing! We'll definitely use them for future events!!
(4)
Tiffany M.
Great concept if you are a fine food and fine wine lover! Suggested pairings for every menu item and the option of a seasonal prefix menu or create your own prefix 4 course meal with prefix menu. The food was fantastic! Crispy scallop app...yum. Bistro Steak with truffle oil fries....cooked perfectly. Wine pairing for each course was spot on and waiter was very knowledgeable about wine if you want to make a substitution based on taste for your course. The only negative is environment is a little lacking. Its a very intimate place with only 12 tables. But its very small and you are very close to the people or table next to you. All in all we enjoyed it and will go back.
(4)
Jen A.
Lovely little place for a nice dinner out without fighting traffic and the city. Wine pairing suggestions are spot on, and the wine collection here is very good. We've always gotten great recommendations from the owner/manager and often buy a couple bottles to take home. If I have one thing that keeps me from giving 5 stars it's that the first time we came we had one of the best things I've ever eaten - the magic mushroom is a portabella stuffed with ground lamb and served with risotto. I've been craving it ever since, but haven't had it on the specials on our subsequent visits.
(4)
Susan L.
Pairings Bistro is an intimate tapas dining experience. Great food and an impressive wine list. Wine shop, too, with decent prices. Great staff, very knowledgeable about wine and menu pairings. Owner John and manager Katie remember customers by name and make the dining experience personal, Shrimp and grits, lobster Mac and cheese and local beef sliders are to die for! Wine dinners and wine classes are also offered. Catering, too!
(4)
Brandi G.
Food was great place was cozy but small service was nothing but excellent!
(4)
Terri C.
Pairings Bistro was wonderful. We've been there many times and never disappointed. The new summer menu is great, new wine pairings and beer pairings were excellent and the service is fantastic. Highly recommended and it's in Bel Air which makes it even better.
(5)
Kyaw M.
Very classy joint. Great food, but way too far away from where I live. =(
(4)
J E.
I have been to Pairings several times for lunch. I find the tables way too close together. I do not like to hear every word from the people at the next table. The last time I was there, the phone of the woman at the next table rang, and she asked the person she was dining with if he minded if she took it. She was so close to me that I minded, but she did not ask me. Have not been back.
(3)
Dana H.
Great food, great service. Strange location, but quite a hidden gem! This place is equal if not better than any downtown 5 star I've been to.
(5)
Andrew E.
I enjoyed my experience here. I think for the area the prices are a bit high, but most tapas restaurants are. Wine us also priced a bit high, but the service and food was good.
(4)
Steve W.
Pairings has not been around very long, maybe 6 months. It's in a bit of an odd spot as it is located in a small business oriented strip mall. The name actually tells a lot. It comes from the "pairing" of food and wine. Everything they serve comes with a suggestion of an appropriate wine to accompany it. The food is generally served in small portions (but larger than tapas). The quality is very high and expertly prepared. The wine selections are numerous and the wait staff very knowledgeable and courteous. (A small wine shop is inside the restaurant). This is a great place for a lunch or dinner that will not leave you dragging from its weight. Also, a nice place to drop into for one of their excellent desserts and a glass of wine. Be aware that this restaurant is very small. If you plan on going during normal dinner hours you most definitely will want to make a reservation. A nice addition to a Harford County restaurant scene that seems to be dominated by big franchise type enterprises.
(4)
Tom J.
I wrote a review previously which somehow was deleted. My date and I arrived 10 minutes early for our reservation. But we were kept waiting for half an hour. When we were seated it took forever to get waitress to take our order. They took orders of people who came in after us and ignored us. When they finally did take our order they told us that the selection we wanted had just run out.... sure enough the table they tended to while ignoring us had ordered the dish we wanted. I raised this issue but they just shrugged and walked away. While the food is good the customer care leaves such a bad taste in your mouth that you can't really enjoy it. And because they cram so many tables into such a small space all that time you spend waiting for a server you have to hear the noise of adjacent , nearly overlapping, tables. When the food does come out they bring multiple courses at once so you have appetizer and entrees and salads all on the table leaving you to decide what you want to get cold.
(1)
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Address :2105 Laurel Bush Rd,Ste 108
Bel Air, MD, 21015
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Mike V.
So, I came to Pairings Bistro with my wife for her birthday on a Tuesday night. Ian was our server. All I can say is that the service started out awful. The waiter (Ian) was poorly dressed shirt untucked, needed a shave, and his hair was -- lets just say looked like he just woke up from a 16 day meth binge in a bathroom in a subway station. As we were seated I heard the manager ask a server "will someone please take 7" which I can only imagine was our table. I ordered an initial glass of wine that was delivered and had a fruit fly in it, however Ian did not come to check on us, I had to stand up and ask a different server for help. Ian delivered a new glass of wine and the glass was dirty, I did not complain about that. I then told him we were ready to order and he said "okay"and walked away, when he returned I said in a joking manner "I thought you forgot about us" he replied "Yeah, I heard you".... I'm so pissed I don't even want to continue with this review. Ok so the first course (soup) came out and it was very good the Butternut Squash soup and the Crab soup paired with wine, was very good. The next course was the Shrimp and Grits absolutely amazing. I then went with the lamb chops which were delicious (however there was a long black hair on the plate that wasn't noticed until after the portion was complete), a sad way to end such a good dinner. My wife's meal the crispy scallops was forgettable and a pass in the future. Over all the food was good, the Servers need consistency and to be cleaned up. I don't want to be at a restaurant of this caliber and look at my server like wow is he out back getting stoned when he disappears for 16 minutes at a time.
(2)Earl W.
Short and sweet review. I am picky. With that in mind, the food tasted great, the service was excellent and the decor very modern. Terrific experience.
(5)Charles D.
I have been to Pairings numerous times. I proposed to my wife here (it's that great of a place). I almost speechless for how good this place is.
(5)Philip R.
Fantastic prix fixed menu at unbelievable prices!,,4 courses for $41. Happy hour 4-7 with half priced 6 Oz wines! Never had anything bad here.....cream of crab outstanding!
(5)Janet S.
Wonderful dining experience - enjoyed the 4 course meal from start to finish. The wait staff was friendly and engaging, offering suggestions and very attentive !! Next visit plan to do the pairings with wines for every course.
(5)Morgan S.
Wonderful experience. Atmosphere was spectacular, and the food was phenomenal! Best hidden gem of Harford. It is a little more expensive, but absolutely worth the price. Erin, Eric, and Guy are wonderful servers, who make me feel like home whenever i come in. Great Staff, Great Food, 10 out of 10!!!
(5)Bob C.
The food was delicious......if you have 2 1/2 hours to wait for lunch!! VERY slow lunch service. Second time this has happened so I eel I need to vent. They knew this and did nothing to compensate my table of 5 Very disappointed.
(2)Jennifer K.
Excellent restaurant in Bel Air. This a nice non-chain variation for this area. A perfect place for special occasions or just a high-end meal any time. Scallops, shrimp and grits, crab soup, beet salad--all excellent. Their price fix menus are a great deal. There's a nice little wine shop in the front of the restaurant. Don't be turned off by the fact Pairings is located in a strip of offices and stores. Atmosphere inside is nicer than expected.
(4)Amber H.
Pairings is a great little gem for foodies in an otherwise chain restaurant infested town. While the restaurant can barely seat 40 people, I have full confidence that they could fully book a space 4 times its size. The food is truly delicious. My husband had cream of crab soup, scallops over sweet potato hash, steak au poivre, and tres leches trifle. He said the cream of crab was the best he's had from a restaurant (even though there was very little actual crab meat in the soup itself), the scallops were the best he's EVER had, the steak was cooked perfectly, and the trifle was the perfect size and full of flavor. I had the french onion soup, the bbq shrimp over habanero cheddar grits, steak au poivre, and espresso creme brulee. The bbq shrimp had that wonderful smokey "hot of the grill" flavor and the cheddar grits were surprisingly good (I had never had grits before). My steak was also cooked perfectly and was juicy and full of flavor. My favorite dessert of all time is creme brulee and the espresso creme brulee here was to die for! I was so full from the meal that I said I would only be able to eat half of it but I ended up eating the whole thing! The couple things I had issue with was: 1) Both main course dishes that my husband (Chicken Marsala) and I (Braised Beef Short Ribs) orginally wanted to order were out of stock. Also my husband wanted Red Velvet Cheesecake for dessert but they were out of that too. It was pretty disappointing that two of the six entree choices weren't available, two of the five dessert choices (Red Velvet Cheesecake & Warm Brownie) weren't available, and the hummus appetizer wasn't available. That is quite a significant amount of deletions for a menu that is already borderline skimpy. Don't get me wrong, the food is delicious but they could add a few more entree options for sure! 2) I ordered the french onion soup to start with because it is one of my favorite soups of all time. To say I am a soup connoisseur is an understatement. So when I tasted my husband's cream of crab I was very excited because it was delicious and that led me to think mine would be equally delicious. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The flavor was just not as full-bodied as I would have hoped. The broth needed a bit more depth and dimension. But that wasn't my biggest issue with the soup. The crouton that every traditional french onion soup has on top was excessively large. There was so much soggy bread and so very little broth left over that it ruined the whole thing for me. 3) The portions for the appetizers were small. If the appetizer is 13 dollars then you should get more than two scallops or two shrimp. My husband loves scallops and said they were so so good but just two for $13? Same thing goes for my bbq shrimp...they were amazing but there were only two for $13. They should at least have 3 scallops/shrimp/etc. for an app that price. Despite those criticisms, I really did enjoy my first visit to Pairings Bistro and I would recommend it to all my friends without hesitation. We will be back for sure!
(4)Steve N.
We thought we'd give this a try because it was Baltimore Restaurant week. Got a three course meal and wine pairings for $43. We loved it! It's very small but they have near term expansion plans. The food and wine selections were superb. Everyone raved about the dessert wine selections. They also have a wine shop at very reasonable prices plus a 10% discount. The service was a bit slow but it was busy due to the popularity of restaurant week. We may go back but it's over 40 miles from the "Dena".
(4)Megan M.
Delicious food and an excellent experience overall. Anthony was our server and he was attentive and had a great personality. The cream of crab soup was definitely the highlight of my 4 courses, but everything was delicious. I had the caprese salad, seabass and peach crepes as well. My husband had the NY Strip, cream of crab, oysters app and whatever cake Anthony recommended for dessert. We both loved everything. The wine pairings were also very good, but we aren't wine snobs. The only thing I'd change is to have the tables for two less cramped. Luckily, we didn't have anyone sitting on either side of us for most of the meal. They tried to seat a couple next to us when we were starting our last course, but the couple asked to be moved outside (and then apologized to us and said it wasn't us, they just didn't want to sit that close to anyone - which we completely understood). You can definitely hear everyone's conversations in the row of two-tops.
(5)Mike G.
Great service and food. The portions were surprisingly on the large side for the four course prix fixe. The service was great, and our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. All of my courses were delicious and were wonderfully paired with a corresponding wine. The atmosphere was nice, except we were directly across from the kitchen, and the staff had some crude conversations and had put a UFC fight on the TV closest to us. While that type of humor is right up my alley, it would has easily offended some. The stool I was seated at was a bit uncomfortable as well. Overall a very positive experience, I will definitely be back.
(4)Mike K.
It's a great place! Servers were all knowledgeable and courteous. It's the type of restaurant you would want to come back to over and over, just to try everything. One of the nicest outdoor seating areas you'll find considering it's in a strip mall. We did the Prix Fixe menu with pairings. Cream of Crab soup was outstanding and comes with a warm french roll and a pitcher of sherry for extra punch. If you don't like a wine, send it back for something different. Who's counting? Garden salads were fresh and inventive. We had Rainbow trout enhanced with fennel, mushrooms. Creme brule for dessert, two varieties, all great with custard so thick we couldn't finish them (unfortunately).
(5)Jalisa J.
I've only been to Pairings once, but am looking forward to going back sometime! I got the 3 course lunch prix fixe, which also comes with a wine pairing for each course. For my appetizer, I got the cream of crab soup which was delicious and even had a lump of crab meat on the spoon. My main course was a sandwich - it wasn't my favorite, but I've also had worse. And for my dessert, I got the crepes which were delicious. My favorite wine pairing was the Villa Jolanda Brachetta, which was surprising because I am not a huge fan of red wine. However, this wine was delicious and I'm hoping I can go back soon to purchase a bottle for myself! They also have a wide selection of wines and some beer that you can purchase for yourself at the front. The service I received here was great! The server was very nice, friendly, and knowledgable about the menu and also about wine and which wines would go great with which course. It wasn't very crowded here either, which was nice and overall, the environment was very nice. I'm hoping to go back once the weather gets warmer and you have the option to eat outside!
(5)Kelly H.
I have been to Pairings twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner. Both experiences were very positive. Since I only got one thing I didn't like, I'm giving Pairings 5 stars. The firs time, I met with a friend for lunch and we both did the Lunch Prix Fixe with wine pairings, which is a really great deal because you get three glasses of wine (one per course), and the price is reasonable. though you may be leaving a little bit tipsy afterward... For my first course, I had the cream of crab soup, which is served alongside a glass bottle of sherry you can pour to taste, and a huge lump of crab meat on the spoon. I thought the cream of crab was pretty tasty and went well with the Chardonnay they had chosen to pair it with. I also had the grilled chicken pesto sandwich, which, between both experiences at Pairings, was the only thing that I wasn't wild about--it was kind of bland, nothing special. I'm figuring sandwiches aren't quite their specialty. I finished lunch with the Espresso Creme Brulee, which was which the waitress paired with the Villa Jolanda Brachetto--not what it is paired with on the menu, but the waitress insisted we try it instead. It is my new favorite sweet wine, a bubbly red. I actually came back and purchased a bottle for NYE. When I visited Pairings for dinner, I got the Duck Confit Wings, which were very tender and pretty much fell off the bone. I shared the Rosemary Truffle Fries with my boyfriend--they came with some sort of aioli, which was very good. We also split a charcuterie plate, which was fresh and came with these very sweet honeyed nuts which we were very pleased with. Both times I went to Pairings, I had great service. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Ryan H.
Tonight the food was great but our party of 6 adults was accused of going "behind the bar". This meant that we were informally asked to leave by a stocky woman with no respect for paying customers. We will never return here. Stay away
(1)Zena S.
I love Pairings it's Romantic dining room with wine caskets as decor. Very nice. Our server Erik always does a fine job in knowing the menu and fully describing each dish for us. Great service! Great food! Close to home. A definite fav.
(4)Shawn C.
We've eaten at, no dined (much better, more descriptive word) at Pairings many times; three this December alone and have been quite remiss because we've not written a review until now. We decided to celebrate 2014 New Years Eve here for a late night dinner and New Year's toast. Unlike the normal menu which has à la carte selections as well as the 4 and 5 course prix fixe with or without wine pairings, the New Year's Eve menu was only a 5 course dining experience with wine pairing (see pic). Our reservation was for 10:15pm and we arrived at 10. The hostess checked on our table and returned promptly very apologetically stating that the couple there was just starting their dessert course. She offered us each complimentary flutes of champaign and asked us if we minded waiting a little bit. When the hostess came to seat us, she again apologized stating that they planned 2 hours for each seating. From our point of view, Pairings managed the customer flow excellently as there were only 3 parties waiting on seating at 10:30 despite being totally full, which means they didn't over book or underestimate dining time. Some people just take longer to eat than others. The entire staff was polite, worked well together, and the flow was like a well oiled precision machine. The food is a masterpiece of art, stimulating your senses of sight, smell, and taste; last night was no different. Our 1st course we both had the sausage lentil soup, our 2nd Sheri had the Charred Tomato and Mozzarella salad, and I had the Orange and Cranberry salad; our 3rd, we both had the mushroom gnocchi (which was divine, but left me wanting for more mushrooms), for our main course Sheri had the Beef Medallion on polenta, and I had the succulent Quail on potatoes, and for desert Sheri had the Flourless chocolate torte, and I had the Blood orange sorbet. My review is based on their dinner service over multiple experiences, and sure there were a couple of bloopers, but our wait staff and the chef have always made it right!! You don't don't eat here for a quick meal, but you dine here for the experience to tantalize your senses. Pairings is an example of a unique dining experience you will want to enjoy many times over. They do not disappoint, and we'll continue to come back tone and again!!!
(5)Sara E.
The food here is on point, but the atmosphere and service are a little lacking for me to give them five stars. The front lounge is so pretty and a huge space, but the dining room is so cramped. The tables for two are so close together it might as well be one communal table. Why not make the front lounge smaller to give diners more room? My second gripe is with the service. While our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, I expect that when I go to a nicer place, I get a different table setting for every course, I get my table scraped for crumbs. Instead, I tried to give back my knife and fork and the waiter asked if I wanted to keep them... Honestly, no, I'd like a new one. I also had to look at lettuce leaves from my first course that had spilled out of my salad the entire meal. Now that I have gotten my complaints out if the way (and really they're minor, we had a lovely evening and a great meal), let's talk about the food. It was amazing; no missteps. The mussels and frites were perfect, cooked perfectly and well-seasoned. The crime brûlée duo of pineapple and vanilla was perfectly caramelized, yet creamy on the inside. I tasted my husband's cream of crab soup which was delicious, and his fried cheese (my poor husband feels the need to eat fried cheese wherever you go, what can you do?), and it made my eyes roll back in my head. Their menu changes at least seasonally, so I'm looking forward to fall!
(4)Lori P.
Amazing food... Very lovely inside, now with patio seating. Everything is delish! Great service too!
(5)Joahnna F.
I am so glad my husband and I got to share a wonderful dining experience here. Every course we had was delicious. I would recommend the beet salad and the cream of crab as starters. For the crab, you get extra spoonful of lump crab and sherry wine to mix in! That has never been something additional with most cream of crab soups I have ordered at other restaurants. Get the creme brule- you can have 2 of the 4 flavors: vanilla, expresso, red wine, or pineapple. Even though this place was also a wine cellar, they have a great selection of beers too! Definitely plan on coming back!
(5)Christon M.
My husband and I have been to Pairings Bistro twice, and can't wait to go back for a third. Our first trip was on Valentine's Day, while very busy it did not reflect on the service or the food. The waitress was extremely attentive without feeling rushed, very helpful, and pleasant. Everything we have had is delicious however the cream of crab is some of the best I've had. Also, the pork belly is incredible however the sides, puréed cornbread and creamed spinach, are the stars of the dish. Only giving four stars due to dessert, while I have gotten then cheese platter both times, due to unappealing options- when trying my husbands not overly impressed. Looking forward to our next trip.
(4)Jay L.
Food is great- no question about that. The service was a bit slow in the end though. It seemed the waiter got caught up with other, bigger tables. The waiter assumed that we wanted the 'Prie Fix' sized meal instead of the entree sized serving although we didn't order from the PF menu itself, just two entrees. So, when the meal came out, the portions were rather small. Rather disappointing as the food was very tasty. The dining room was very loud as well, not good for a quiet dinner. The room's ceiling is made to look like a wine barrel, so I suspect the wood screws with the acoustics. Recommend that you sit in the original dining room, it seems quieter. Overall, if we weren't moving away from the area, we'd continue eating there. One of the best places in the Bel Air area.
(3)Lindsay W.
Can we talk about how fantastic this place is? Omg 42 dollars for a four course meal! Cream of crab, salad, duck and creme brulee.. amazing. You can't leave this place without feeling full. My friends did the wine course and we're supposed to get 2oz per meal but they greatly over pour!!!
(5)Chris M.
Great ambience, Amazing food, the staff is very professional and knowledgable about their wine selections. We did the 4 course meal with wine pairings. We had the cream of crab soup which amongst the best I've ever had and came with a glass of paired wine. Then the caesar salad with a glass of paired wine! (Awesome). Then our entrees also with paired wines (really awesome). And lastly, our desert with yet another paired glass of wine!!! At 60$ a person it was very very well worth it. This is now my favorite restaurant in Bel Air.. Pricey for a regular everyday night out but perfect for the special occasion!
(5)Gill G.
Get either the 3-4-5 wine pairing meal or you can order a straight up dinner. The idea behind the restaurant is to sample wines which complement your foods instead of settling for the glass of unsweetened tea and 4 Domino sugars. If you liked the wines you had at dinner conveniently the restaurant has a small wine store for you to take a bottle home. The 4 meal option seemed to work best for my wife and I. Note: although I've only been the the restaurant 1x we absolutely loved it and since our visit, Pairings has expanded their venue to the usage of Rockfield Manor located off of Rt. 22 outside of the town of Bel Air. Call the restaurant for reservations, we have previously tried an impromptu and couldn't wait. This place is Great for special occasions and Rockfield seems to be offsetting the demand of the original tiny but quaint location behind Festival. All the food was good. Pork shoulder and filet was great, Cream of crab is primo and desert was heavenly. Also, my wife left very tipsy the portions were decent and the experiment with wines was exciting. Loved the barrel room.
(5)Rei V.
Went here with the family. The three of us ordered the grilled salmon, the free range chicken, and the beef medallions. Honestly, they were all really good! The salmon was the family favorite though. As for the service: it was also quite good. Kate M, our server, took our orders promptly and, when I asked what she recommended, she asked if we shared our food and, seeing that my dad got the chicken and my mom the salmon, she suggested the beef medallions. It was very thoughtful. I also asked her to help me pick a desert and the creme brûlée was lovely. Atmosphere: The music playing went from Ray Charles' I Got A Woman to Glenn Miller's Moonlight and other soft swing hits. It's not spacious but it's cramped-just cozy. I wasn't wow'd but this place was definitely pleasant and above average. Wish. Could give if a 4.5? But since there was absolutely nothing wrong with my experience, I'll give it a 5. We're not really wine people but I also heard that this place has a good selection.
(5)Dan L.
I don't usually buy off on the wine pairing thing but this place may have made me a believer. Everything paired very well and the scallops were impeccable. I also thoroughly enjoyed the cream of crab soup!
(5)Shane M.
The food is good, the service is okay. We arranged to meet friends for Sunday lunch and we had never been there. Our friends did their diligence online and each knew in advance of arriving what they wanted to eat from the online menu. To their surprise, The Sunday menu is only a brunch with limited items and my guests were disappointed. If you run a website, then be responsible enough to manage it and communicate on a timely basis when the menu changes. Proof is right here on Yelp's menu of that.
(3)Olivia L.
I took my father here for his birthday since both my parents love wine. I was tipped by a friend that this place was great. The service right away was excellent and the hominess of the restaurant made our dinner experience that much better. They even gave us a complimentary champagne toast for my father's Bday. We did the fixed 4 course meal with the pairings...it's extra with the wine but worth it! We did the grilled wedge, cream of crab soup, shrimp & grits, and the chocolate crepes. Everything was delicious and they were able to switch out the wine paired if you were not a fan of white wine, or dry wine, etc. The only turn off was that when we got our soup it was cold and not even the right consistency....we sent it back and got new hot soup which made all the difference. Besides that everything was excellent! And if you liked a wine you tasted at dinner they had it in stock for you to purchase.
(4)Amy T.
We come here all the time. The food and service are great. This is a go to place to entertain friends or for a nice meal.
(5)Kristina Z.
I would go with the Pre Fixe option. It's perfectly matched wine/food parings. It is a bit expensive so I wouldn't go unless it was a special occasion, but that's just me! We do swing by for a glass, or two, of wine and a cheese plate once and awhile. They have great outdoor seating and singers on the weekends. It's a really nice spot!
(5)Snake P.
Bar none the best restaurant in Harford County. Certainly not cheap, but the top notch service, imaginative and well-executed menu and the great wine pairings make it worth the price. Will keep coming back!
(5)debbie a.
I just went here for lunch and even though my intial dish that I ordered turned out to be a fluke, I do not take stars off for that... I think the food would make this place a 3.5 star, but I thought I would round up because I like everything else about this place. hidden away from the main strip mall (Festival) this restaurant is a diamond in the rough. Atmosphere: the restaurant is quite small, but it also has a tasting room off to the side. The seating area is nicely decorated with large bottles of wine sitting along the wall for purchase. The walls are painted in a Tuscan yellow color with a marbled effect giving the place a nice warm feel against the dark grey bar when you walk in. The bar is also functions as the front desk when you walk in.. It's small, but it works. Food: The menu has great wine and food pairings and some of the menu items sound deicious - I loved the Cream of Crab Soup presentation The spoon held a few pieces of Colossal Lump Crab meat on the spoon and a small carafe of sherry to add to the soup and an angular cut pieces of baguette to dip. The entire plaate was dusted in Old Bay The soup was deliciously creamy and the sherry carafe added to it made it a little less rich which was GOOD in my case. The Seared rare Tuna BLT on French pullman bread was great. The tuna was cooked perfectly and delicious. The acoompanying salad had a djion-based Balsamic vinagrette with roasted veggies that was great. This dish actually my second choice, but because my first choice, the Prince Edward Island Mussels with Belgian Ale, shallots, bacon & bleu cheese had mussels with green bellies that tasted extremely off and bitter. Service: The service was prompt, attentive and polite. I discussed my issue with the mussels and she went directly to the chef and It was immediately taken off my bill and I was offered a second choice WITH a discount. The table next to mine was a little bit crabby about their food coming slowly, but I was fully aware that some of their food items would take some time to make (risotto). This place really takes the time with every dish.. they make it all from scratch - this really makes a difference. I plan on going back for dinner sometime soon and trying out more dishes - or maybe even their wine Flutes =)
(4)Tatyana M.
We had outstanding Restaurant Week dinner experience. Particularly we liked the desserts: (Espresso Crème Brulée and Crepes Suzette). It would be so great if they included these deserts in their regular menu. This time it was a highlight of the dinner. We love this place and no doubt we'll be back.
(5)Kait H.
This is my favorite restaurant in Hartford County. I have been here many times but do not frequent it all the time due to the fact that it can get a bit pricey when you enjoy food and wine as much as I do. I need to take advantage of some of their specials such as Sunday suppers. Usually when I go to Pairings, I will either order a full meals with all the courses and matched wine pairings or order several appetizer type dishes which allows us to sample a bit f everything. The wait staff is always outstanding. I have even made special requests to incorporate flavors from one dish into another, which was welcomed so much by the chef that he stopped by our table to hear our opinions on how it came out. It is clear they care about their food and are always trying new things, which I appreciate.
(5)John M.
Took a friend to dinner based on her suggestion of Pairings Bistro. Not too large but a nice and comfortable decor. What is special about Pairings is that the food is great, but different from other restaurants these days the food portions were sized properly......not providing too much. Wines were recommended with each type of meal and were very good. Our choices of entrees, as examples, included a veal chop, grilled shrimp on couscous, and pork tenderloin served on a bed of rice. All were very well prepared and quite tasty. Only negative might be the arugula and melon salad was rather dry. Perhaps the melon was to add flavor but no dressing and not much taste.
(4)Bill M.
We started with crab and artichoke dip - which was very good. I had scallops & pea risotto - very good, the scallops were cooked very well - however i question the need to bread them...but nonetheless they were very good along with the risotto. My Girlfriend Had the shrimp and grits - we thought the grits were very good - however the shrimp were completely overcooked...nearly inedible. We really didn't want to make a fuss...everything else was very good...the service was excellent. I like the option of small plates or larger ones depending on your particular appetite...we had the small plates and thought they were perfectly sized. The manager apologized for the shrimp and comped us some champagne...which we appreciated...we will probably return We had a good time and a nice experience here - 3 stars for the price...a little high - but not to high as to keep us away...just not that often
(3)Juliet F.
Overall not a bad experience, but not the best I have had in my visits to MD. The service was generally good, our server was moderately attentive, but was she tried to be accommodating to my food needs and requests. The ambiance was present, but the music and acoustics could be tweaked to fit a better overall dinging experience. Music was too soft, creating lulls in the dining room where only eating, and service noises were heard. No full bar, beer and wine only. Food was under whelming. I ordered the pre fixe. The soup was cold, the salad still had dirt and grit on the leaves, and the steak was small, and pre cut.....in this case I think the size and unevenness of the steaks temperature wasn't great. This is after I was told they ran out of the duck 15 minutes after I ordered... Overall I wouldn't recommend it at the top of my list, but I wouldn't tell people to stay away.
(2)Ji Y.
Last year, I happened to stumble upon this restaurant and my husband and I ended up dining here for our wedding anniversary. The food was really delicious and I just absolutely loved their french onion soup! Since the first impression was really good, I took my mom and sister to try out this place with me. When I got there, the place was pretty empty for a sunday evening. They had a Sunday Supper prefix menu too. I ended up getting their four course prefix menu with the wine pairings. Reminded of the delicious french onion soup, I was ready to order that when the waitress said they were out for the night. Ahh! I was highly disappointed but the cream of crab soup was good. The grilled pork chop did not have much flavor and my entree was just plain in taste and plating. For $57 bucks for dinner, I thought it would wow me like the last time but it was a disappointment. At least I got to go home with some bottles of wine with a 10% discount for dining in. Small wine store in the restaurant but a descent collection of wines.
(3)John J.
Continues to be my favorite spot to eat in Harford County. We are so lucky to have this place up here (it would be great downtown....but don't tell them). Just had their winter menu. Spectacular. Great place for dinner for 1 or dinner for 10. I stop by for happy hour and just eat cheese and wine. Can't be beat in Bel Air. Thanks Pairings.
(5)Glenn C.
SUMMARY: Excellent 4-star dinner place. Small space. An excellent décor transformation of a strip mall space. For Baltimore area ... this is a 5 star restaurant. VISIT AGAIN?: Yes. ... Would come back for just one item from our dinner (entrée, salad, appetizer, soup, or glass of wine). TIPS: Make reservations. PROs: 30+ wines by the glass. Nowhere in the Baltimore area have we seen such a selection. Salads, appetizers, and entrees are all excellent bistro fare. CONs: Small space, they've done all they can with a strip mall location. NOTES: Although described as a Tapas-Bar, the menu and portions are French Bistro (not Tapas "appetizer" size, selection, or Spanish emphasis). PRICE: $$$$ ... Typical entrées: $27+, salads $9+, appetizers $11+, soups $8+. Typical three course dinner + 1 glass of wine for ONE = $70+.
(4)barry k.
Service outshines food! We found Pairings Bistro 's service to be exceptional and the atmosphere to be very pleasant. Our server was very knowledgeable about wines and assisted us in finding exactly what we wanted. Now to the down side - we found the food to be very drab!!!! The steak ordered medium rare, was served medium. The turbot had no taste, very bland fish entree. The lobster mac & cheese could have used some substantial lobster pieces, especially for $15. The shrimp bisque was ok and the crab soup screamed for some sherry!!!! The desert of chocolate mousse was pedestrian at best and the cookies served in it, were soggy! We explained our dismain to our server and she asked to come back on a regular nite (this was a Valentine Special Dinner menu) and give them another chance , because this meal she said was more of a catered service. So we guess this serving was more of a heat it up and serve it type. I would think every meal is a chance to wow the customers! This evening did not meet the expectations that we had going in, but I guess this isn't the "Charleston" or the "Volt" type "Top Chef" restaurant. we thoiught it would be. The pricing is the same though. Going back???? Probably not!!! Bon Apetit!!!!
(2)Sara W.
Wonderful service. Great food. Loved the frites. Our party was a little on the large side (8 people, including several kids), and they accommodated us perfectly. I will say that they have limited seating, with mainly two or three person tables. If you have a larger group, calling ahead would be recommended. All of the food we ordered was wonderful--well cooked, delivered quickly, and presented nicely.
(5)Heather J.
Over the past few months, I've had a serious - and I mean serious (am I pregnant?) - craving for good lobster mac and cheese. I googled recipes, made it at home, and have scoured local menus online to find a place where I can find something to satisfy the craving. When I googled 'lobster mac and cheese bel air md,' Pairings Bistro was all that made the list. After talking about it for days with my coworker, we finally headed up there one lunch hour to check it out. Modern and wanna-be-tooty is how I would describe this place. It's located in the weirdest building - not a shopping center 'per se', but in a corporate office type environment next to like, foot doctors and colonoscopy centers with a bank in the parking lot. I'm exaggerating, I think it's next door to a rooty-tooty spa but I can't confirm that information. The service was acceptable. Not great, not bad. Nothing to complain about, nothing to rave about. Let me say - my water glass was never empty! The food - we ordered the Prix Fixe.. I selected Strawberry Soup w/ Mint Yogurt, *surprise!* Lobster Mac and Cheese, and Espresso Crème Brulee. The strawberry soup was basically a smoothie in a bowl - after one bite I wished I had opted for cream of crab. It was good for what it was though - except it took about 20 minutes to come out. We ate, and stared at empty bowls for about 10 minutes. The lobster mac and cheese was good, didn't satisfy my craving but acceptable. The Mediterranean salad it came with was delightful. My only complaint - from the time our soup bowls were whisked away to the time our main hit the table was another 25 minutes. After we finished eating, we stared at our empty plates for about 10 minutes before they were whisked away.. then stared at each other for about 15 minutes while we waited for dessert. It finally came.. I expected a light, crispy, caramelized top on my crème brulee, but instead it was black and tasted like someone had thrown marshmallows into a fire, then scraped them off the burnt logs and put them on top of Kraft pudding. It was very disappointing. Lunch took over 2 hours (not timely for the worker bees).. but I would like to go back again. On a Saturday. I would start with the cream of crab soup, then stick to the rest of my choices. I'll include the pairings, and pray for the dessert. Hopefully, it won't be burnt and if it is, hopefully the wine paired with it will get me drunk enough not to notice.
(3)Melissa B.
Pairings Catering did much of the food for my husband's 40th birthday celebration this past weekend. Two dishes to note in this entry are the polenta crusted scallops with the red pepper aioli sauce. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the sauce was the perfect accompaniment. The grilled vegetable platter with the balsamic reduction was also delicious. Again, perfectly cooked and lovely assortment of veggies. The wait staff was so attentive to our guests and my husband and I...I didn't have to worry about a thing! We'll definitely use them for future events!!
(4)Tiffany M.
Great concept if you are a fine food and fine wine lover! Suggested pairings for every menu item and the option of a seasonal prefix menu or create your own prefix 4 course meal with prefix menu. The food was fantastic! Crispy scallop app...yum. Bistro Steak with truffle oil fries....cooked perfectly. Wine pairing for each course was spot on and waiter was very knowledgeable about wine if you want to make a substitution based on taste for your course. The only negative is environment is a little lacking. Its a very intimate place with only 12 tables. But its very small and you are very close to the people or table next to you. All in all we enjoyed it and will go back.
(4)Jen A.
Lovely little place for a nice dinner out without fighting traffic and the city. Wine pairing suggestions are spot on, and the wine collection here is very good. We've always gotten great recommendations from the owner/manager and often buy a couple bottles to take home. If I have one thing that keeps me from giving 5 stars it's that the first time we came we had one of the best things I've ever eaten - the magic mushroom is a portabella stuffed with ground lamb and served with risotto. I've been craving it ever since, but haven't had it on the specials on our subsequent visits.
(4)Susan L.
Pairings Bistro is an intimate tapas dining experience. Great food and an impressive wine list. Wine shop, too, with decent prices. Great staff, very knowledgeable about wine and menu pairings. Owner John and manager Katie remember customers by name and make the dining experience personal, Shrimp and grits, lobster Mac and cheese and local beef sliders are to die for! Wine dinners and wine classes are also offered. Catering, too!
(4)Brandi G.
Food was great place was cozy but small service was nothing but excellent!
(4)Terri C.
Pairings Bistro was wonderful. We've been there many times and never disappointed. The new summer menu is great, new wine pairings and beer pairings were excellent and the service is fantastic. Highly recommended and it's in Bel Air which makes it even better.
(5)Kyaw M.
Very classy joint. Great food, but way too far away from where I live. =(
(4)J E.
I have been to Pairings several times for lunch. I find the tables way too close together. I do not like to hear every word from the people at the next table. The last time I was there, the phone of the woman at the next table rang, and she asked the person she was dining with if he minded if she took it. She was so close to me that I minded, but she did not ask me. Have not been back.
(3)Dana H.
Great food, great service. Strange location, but quite a hidden gem! This place is equal if not better than any downtown 5 star I've been to.
(5)Andrew E.
I enjoyed my experience here. I think for the area the prices are a bit high, but most tapas restaurants are. Wine us also priced a bit high, but the service and food was good.
(4)Steve W.
Pairings has not been around very long, maybe 6 months. It's in a bit of an odd spot as it is located in a small business oriented strip mall. The name actually tells a lot. It comes from the "pairing" of food and wine. Everything they serve comes with a suggestion of an appropriate wine to accompany it. The food is generally served in small portions (but larger than tapas). The quality is very high and expertly prepared. The wine selections are numerous and the wait staff very knowledgeable and courteous. (A small wine shop is inside the restaurant). This is a great place for a lunch or dinner that will not leave you dragging from its weight. Also, a nice place to drop into for one of their excellent desserts and a glass of wine. Be aware that this restaurant is very small. If you plan on going during normal dinner hours you most definitely will want to make a reservation. A nice addition to a Harford County restaurant scene that seems to be dominated by big franchise type enterprises.
(4)Tom J.
I wrote a review previously which somehow was deleted. My date and I arrived 10 minutes early for our reservation. But we were kept waiting for half an hour. When we were seated it took forever to get waitress to take our order. They took orders of people who came in after us and ignored us. When they finally did take our order they told us that the selection we wanted had just run out.... sure enough the table they tended to while ignoring us had ordered the dish we wanted. I raised this issue but they just shrugged and walked away. While the food is good the customer care leaves such a bad taste in your mouth that you can't really enjoy it. And because they cram so many tables into such a small space all that time you spend waiting for a server you have to hear the noise of adjacent , nearly overlapping, tables. When the food does come out they bring multiple courses at once so you have appetizer and entrees and salads all on the table leaving you to decide what you want to get cold.
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