The Blue Bottle Cafe Menu

  • Entrees
  • First Course
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for The Blue Bottle Cafe

  • Entrees
  • First Course
  • Desserts

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  • Vince S.

    It is usually very hard for me to award 5 stars to a restaurant. Maybe I take it too seriously, maybe I've had the luck to dine at some exceptional places that cause others to pale in comparison, maybe I'm a decent enough cook to be able to recreate or improve upon things I've tasted while eating out? All of these and more are factors in my decision. Still, while driving home from the Blue Bottle I knew what I had to do. Today was my third lunch here, and I've also had about that many dinners. I like coming at lunch time because several of the dinner options are also available, as well as more casual lunch fare. It's a cute but tiny place that can get noisy at dinner. But this is true of many byo"s, especially when diners are enjoying the food. At lunch it is much quieter. I started with a crab cake that is as good if not better than any any you can find on this state( trust me, I'm a crab snob) the slaw that accompanied it was composed of jicama, Apple, and snow pea shreds. Perfection. Next came NJ monk fish, in a pea sauce, plated with a melange of peas, snow peas, and mushrooms. The starch was a red rice. This was one of the best fish dishes of the year. Knowing how good the deserts are I had to pick one, a lemon cake with meringue and limoncello sorbet. This also had lemon curd and NJ blueberry compote. There was not one thing I would change in any of the courses, and I'm sad to say I would probably not be able to recreate anything( well maybe the crab cake) the restaurant has been open just over 9 years, and is run by 2 CIA grads, who also happen to be married. They certainly treat this place as if it is their baby. Christa was my server and she was exceptional, I asked if there were any nearby ice cream shops. She took the time to call one, but it had gone out of business. Just as well since desserts are a must( care if the wife part of the team) The fifth star is based on the fact that this is Byob. I have certainly not found another in this state as good as the Bottle. My best lunch of the year so far. Yelpus Maximus.

    (5)
  • Gerald S.

    The Blue Bottle Café experience began even before arriving on a warm sultry early September evening. The open top drive from Bucks into Mercer on two lane blacktop was lovely, and reminded how beautiful this part of the Delaware Valley can be off the beaten path. Still, there is a beaten path to The Blue Bottle for those who are good trackers, or read Yelp religiously. So, upon approach there is a level of anticipation that grows with finding parking on the surrounding streets and walking the quiet tall treed lane to the house. First impressions were excellent, as the country inn sentimentality was well put together. Even at the 5:45 seating, the rooms were pretty much full, and the staff bustling. Our table in the front was between two larger parties, but we did not feel pressed, nor forgotten by our servers. We ordered the Blue Bottle Salad and Whole Wheat Lasagna. The salad was quite good, with a few unusual additions like Toasted Hazelnuts, Sliced Red Grapes, shaved Manchego, and a nice Red Wine & Honey Vinaigrette, on top of fresh local leafies. AT $10 it seemed like very good value. The Lasagna looked great upon arrival, but had a few issues. Attempting to cut through a corner with the edge of my fork, the entire square heavily gave way to the pressure due to unexpected firmness within the construct of the pasta mix. I used a knife and fork the rest of the way to save the dish from being too distressed from overworking the less sharp fork edge. As you would anticipate from this description, the Roasted Veggies within (Yellow and Green Squash, etc.,) were undercooked and still too firm to be within the finished product. It was dense and chewy. No doubt garden fresh, but in need of either longer roasting or baking. At $25.50 that came accompanied with some disappointment. Neither of us wanted to finish the plate, nor take home the balance. Clearly, The BBC has lots of charm and is a wonderful find on the back roads of this area. Still, whether just a bad choice, or a lack of quality control, the back end of our first impression was more measured than its beginning.

    (3)
  • Kevin M.

    Finally made it out to Blue Bottle after it was recommended by a friend. Tucked away in a street in Hopewell, it looks like a basic small town restaurant from the outside. The inside however, is surprisingly modern with unique decor. It's also smaller with an intimate yet casual feel. The food was quite good. I started off with the pork pate, which was very good. The side of pickle and honey mustard was a great addition which gave things a good flavor. Overall though, I've had a slightly better version of this dish previously. I then had the sea scallops which also were very good. It came with a touch of bacon which really brought things home. Definitely the highlight of the meal. The service here was excellent. From the very specific recommendations of the waitress to the fast speed at which the meals were prepared, there wasn't a moment of slack throughout the entire meal. Definitely a good option in the central jersey area

    (4)
  • Patricia H.

    I was here on Saturday eve with a few friends. Their menu is fabulous!!!! Constantly changing. I had a beef shoulder with swiss chard that melted in my mouth. Like butta!! A friend had bronzzini that the flavors were subtle but great party on your tastebuds. Another friend had the world's best non gmo veggie lasagna. Omg we all shared our food..... I love the atmosphere, the staff, and the chef! Food is perfectly prepared every time! So different and so incredible. Byob.. worth the money here, oh, make a reservation. ..u need to.

    (5)
  • Greg W.

    I grew up in Skillman, NJ so I'm used to the dearth of good food options in Central Jersey but this place is truly a diamond in the rough. I come with my family everytime I come back home. Its BYOB too which is rare to find for a place with this level of food. We love the blue bottle salad and get that everytime. They rotate the menu pretty frequently but last time I had an really tasty, lean venison dish for my main course. The fish is always good too. Service is also fantastic.

    (5)
  • Suzie L.

    Cute and quaint is the best way I can describe this place. I love the fact this place is a BYO and perfect for a night out with friends. Coming from living in the city, it's hard to find a place outside our it to fulfill the palate of sophisticated but classic dishes. I read the reviews about the service which put me off a bit but hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinions but I thought service was great. I was in no rush and thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience here. My group of friends literally was the last table to leave and our dinner reservation was at 8 pm. The server had great recommendations for entrees and knew how large each portion was so luckily we ordered almost everything on the menu. I tried the sweetbread (excellent), the butter head salad and also the beet salad (both fresh and full of flavor), and for my main course I've had the Arctic Char. It did not disappoint! Luckily I was at a table of 6 so I was able to sample everyone elses' meals as well such as the duck (food envy since this was not greasy, full of flavor and not overly salted), the scallops were sweet, flavorful and well seasoned, and the duo of beef was so comforting and traditional. It was my first time here and I was not disappointed. I even had room for dessert (shocker) and tried the tiramisu. I don't know if it was the 4 bottles we shared as a table or but it is exactly what a good, classic tiramisu is all about. The espresso, the lady fingers, the slight sweetness of the cream and chocolate. It was heaven. Highly recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Dave B.

    Everything about this place is a home run. Quaint and cute vibe, outstanding and friendly service, a genuine interest from the staff to ensure you are comfortable. You name it, the Blue Bottle Cafe covers it. Local ingredients shine throughout creative and colorful dishes, while seasonal flavors and awesome culinary skills from the chef, keep you going back for more. I dined here tonight for the first time, and quite frankly, only wish I had dined here sooner. An all around great dining experience, with super classy owners and staff. Thanks Blue Bottle Cafe for being the gem that you are!

    (4)
  • Jeff B.

    Have been to the Blue Bottle many times and never had anything less than an excellent meal. The prices have climbed a bit over the years, probably in line with the consistently excellent reviews this spot gets, but it's still BYO, and it's still a very good value. Service is always polished & professional. This ain't TGIFridays, baby. That's for sure. My appetizer was a spin on "lettuce wraps" and slightly less flavorful and successful than I was hoping for -- kind of bland actually -- but it did make a nice salad anyway. The entree, a pan-seared salmon, was truly excellent. I can't imagine a better piece of salmon unless you live on the docks in Seattle or Sitka. My three companions were similarly delighted with their meals. We mostly skipped dessert, although the decaf coffee was nice and strong, the way it should be, and I enjoyed that as well. I don't know what to make of the few poor reviews this place has had on here lately. Were these guests having a bad day? I don't know, but most people I know in the area believe that the Blue Bottle is consistently great. My recent dinner here with three friends supports that notion well. BYOB, and the menu has clearly labeled gluten free options, including very good GF bread to start.

    (5)
  • Stewart G.

    We had a great meal. The Asian BBQ Pork Belly was wonderful. As was an empenada style app. I had the Duo of Beef which was delish - my wife enjoyed her Monk Fish as well. Order the Profiteroles stuffed with salted caramel ice cream and it ends a perfect meal. Service was wonderful, and our server quick to make recommendations. True, noise level a bit high at times - a function of the diners. We'll be back.

    (4)
  • Robert C.

    This small venue off the beaten path near Princeton is a true gem. And the BYO is an nice plus. Came here with a small group of clients from as far north as Hoboken and as far south as Wynnewood PA - an hour away in each direction. Both said the drive was well worth the effort. The ambiance is warm and French country-ish and serves as a great backdrop to a terrific menu. Serve was spot on. Invisible except when needed and anticipating every need. Our group had lots of questions, and one member of our party changed several components of his dish - all handled with a "no problem" and a smile. The "truffled" cream of Porcini mushroom soup was outstanding and a great starter. I moved on to a wild boar duo - a perfectly grilled chop and two nice-sized house-made sausage links.The sides - spaetzle, gruyere and pilsner fondue, pretzel crumble, garlic spinach, and a sauce Charcutiere knocked it out of the park. I wiped my plate clean. Sadly, it's a solid 2 hours and 15 minutes from my home, but I plan to take an overnight with my wife so we can enjoy this wonderful spot together.

    (5)
  • David D.

    Wow, fantastic little gem (well not that small but off the beaten path!) in Hopewell!! Appearances can be deceiving here, as when you roll up you'll notice the building is very nondescript and even has a garish graffiti logo on the outside. I almost drove away! I'm so glad I didn't, as the food is superb. Once you're inside the restaurant you're greeted by a warm and quite professional staff who seated us right away. You'll be in the care of two or three servers, and most really knew their stuff. The only misstep was when one of our servers, easily a brutish one as I saw her drinking a giant big gulp near the waiter's station, inexplicably asked if we wanted ice in our wine. (It was hot, yes, but she was not joking!!) Anyway, the food is outstanding. You really get a sense that they appreciate freshness here, which was evidenced from the get-go when they informed us that they did not have the halibut and had to sub it with cod. I liked that since it told me they went with the freshest fish they could get. Warm, fresh-baked bread started the meal. It was very good. My DP and I both loved our apps. I had had the warm octopus salad. The octopus was cooked perfectly and very tender, and I loved the chickpea base which fit the mediterranean bill. My DP had the wheat-berry salad, which was a smorgasbord of fresh greens and quite varied from wheat berries (obviously) to watermelon radishes and other delectable goodies. Our entrees, again, were outstanding. I did the scallops, which were seared perfectly and oh so juicy and tender on the inside. They rested on perfectly cooked veggies, including spinach, a pureed potato, and snappy sugar peas. My DP had the seared tuna, which a very hearty portion and also cooked perfectly. But wait, there's a secret here...their desserts are phenomenal! My DP is from France, and when she saw they had financier (almond cake) she was skeptical, but gave it a shot. Well, it was the best she ever had. I indulged in it too and loved the strawberries and bananas that added a little aplomb to the whole dessert. It was served with a homemade almond ice cream. Really blissful. I suppose by now you've gotten the sense that I recommend Blue Bottle Cafe 110%. Keep in mind it's a little quirky, a la Lambertville/New Hope vibe, but mostly in a good way and the food is well above the standard central Jersey/Bucks County fare.

    (5)
  • Rich W.

    The food is still top notch, but I'm dropping the overall to a four simply because the noise level the last couple of times I've been in there has been so loud that it's made conversation with my dinner partners difficult. It's partially a result of people enjoying themselves and drinking a lot of wine, but it's also because the tables are so close together in a relatively small space. I was sitting closer to the guy at the next table than I was to my wife last weekend as we celebrated our anniversary. Another quibble was that my dinner came right on the heels of my appetizer this last time too, and I really wasn't ready to face the huge (delicious) pork shank just two minutes after the soup (butternut soup...also delicious) dish had vanished. We were out of there in just a little over an hour, and we weren't rushing to make it happen. I still love to go there, and will continue to go there. I'll just consider someplace else when we're looking for a romantic, quiet setting if we're going out on a Friday or Saturday night. All that said, if you get there for the 2015 Winter Menu, try the Mussel appetizer. It's absolutely killer. I wish I'd ordered three of them--one for the appetizer and two for the main meal. The best mussels they've served there since the lovingly remembered mussels with wild boar sausage from a several years back.

    (4)
  • Tony M.

    Very disappointing experience. Place is cute and I came here on the recommendation of a friend who lives nearby. Anyway, the service was lackluster. Waiter never introduced himself and pretty much dropped the menus on our table. He also did not check in with us to see if our orders were good. There were times that our water glasses were empty and we had to flag someone down to refill them. My entree was awful. Since the waiter did not check to see if everything was ok, I ate around my raw pork. The dish came with these corn fritters that tasted like someone had sprayed them with Windex. I give the place two stars because my arancini app was good and the cream puff dessert was awesome. Bill was over $100 for two and we brought our own wine. So when I am paying over $50 a person at a restaurant in the sticks of NJ, I expect much better.

    (2)
  • Donna Y.

    The food gets multiple stars, the attitude gets 1. Stopped by for a late lunch, but was chased away by the hostess. Lunch seating is only to 2 pm, and we arrived at 2:08. The restaurant was still pretty full with dinners, and many had yet to receive their entrees yet, would it have been so hard to create some good will and serves us lunch???? I guess the bad attitude displayed by the chef on "Chopped" carries over to the rest of the staff!

    (1)
  • Anando S.

    Very good food and very interesting choices. Their chicken liver appetizer is vefy unique. I had a main course of venison which too is quite rare to find. Both the dishes were cooked and served to perfection. The staff was friendly and service was quick. The only drawback was the cramped seating.

    (5)
  • Kristin W.

    This is a charming spot that seems to appear out of nowhere along the road.The seafood was fresh and we enjoyed our Wild Sockeye Salmon and the Pan Seared Dayboat Scallops. We then split the Strawberry & Blackberry Financier, which was especially delicious with the strawberry ice cream. Our conversation led us to loiter even after our dessert was finished, but the staff continued to refill our drinks and be very pleasant.

    (4)
  • Kenneth R.

    Being a big fan of the Blue Bottle Coffee Company, I was amused and delighted when friends invited me to a dinner at the Blue Bottle Cafe in Hopewell. The logo at Hopewell's Blue Bottle and even the font on the sign out front reinforced the connection between the two similiarly named establishments. I live in the SF Bay Area, where it's reasonably common to bring one's own wine to a restaurant dinner. But we pay for the privilege: corkage can be expensive! The idea that restaurants around Princeton tend not to have alcohol licenses is mind-blowing to me. In the Garden State, one can bring in great wines, and there's no corkage charge! For the dinner at Blue Bottle, I stopped in at the Princeton Corkscrew Wine Shop and loaded up. Just by the way, I have to say that the recommendations I got at Corkscrew were fabulous; the wines were perfect. (It helped that the staff at Corkscrew were familiar with the Blue Bottle menu and could suggest wines that would be good partners for the Blue Bottle dishes.) The Blue Bottle Cafe is "charming". It works hard to create the atmosphere of a country inn, and the hard work definitely pays off. The welcome seemed warm and genuine; the staff were courteous and efficient. We had some very young children in our group; they were treated like valued guests. As you can see from the dinner menu ( thebluebottlecafe.com/di… ), many of the main dishes at Blue Bottle are in the $30 range. (For example, the pheasant dish will run you $33.) These prices looked a little high to me, but they seem more reasonable when you remember that the house is not making money by selling you $12 bottles of wine for $42. I shared a salad with one of my dinner companions and then arranged to eat half of the wild boar main dish and half of the venison main dish by sharing with another companion. I'd say that the dishes were competently prepared but that nothing I ate really sent me soaring. My rating of three stars is based on some mild disappointment with the food and on the assessment that coming to Blue Bottle represents something of a trek unless you happen to find yourself in Hopewell for other reasons. At the end of the meal, I ordered a coffee. "Do you serve Blue Bottle?" "No, we serve Small World coffee." The Small World was fine, but it left me craving a macchiato from the real Blue Bottle.

    (3)
  • Tanvi S.

    Very much like the interior - we sat in the green house room in the back and it had a cozy, homey vibe. Service was rather impersonal and not particularly punctual despite the fact that we were one of the last people at the restaurant. I ordered the potato gnocchi with the butternut squash filling and found it very uninspired. It had an overall bland taste and hardly the 'bold' flavors I read about in other reviews of the place online. I got the empanadas as an appetizer which were delicious though so I do recommend that. I may come back at another point but as a vegetarian, I already tried one of the two entrees available for me!

    (3)
  • Y G.

    Delicious food in an intimate setting. Everything was wonderfully flavored and textured. The Blue Bottle salad included my favorite cheese (Manchego), the soup had chestnuts on top, the bread assortment was fresh, and the mains were hearty. Service was superb. Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Original 6.

    Although I've been to Blue Bottle more than a few dozen times over the years, I was there again last night for what was my first visit in quite a while. As always, the service was great and our meals were truly best of class... it just doesn't get any better than this... most anywhere. There were ten of us and we ordered a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts; everyone loved everything. A few had the bronzino, another the Griggstown chicken breast, another the lasagna, and a few of us had the scallops with the pork belly... again, everything was absolutely spectacular. I have to be mightily impressed to award a gourmet restaurant five stars; sure I might give five stars to a hot dog place selling $3. hot dogs or a dive bar with great wings, but those are entirely different establishments at entirely different price points... they are what they are and you frequent them with entirely different expectations, but when you are talking about a true gourmet restaurant, the bar is set all the way at the top and Blue Bottle cleared the bar with room to spare. Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Yolanda B.

    Love this restaurant! I can't wait to go again! You definitely need reservations though. I still dream of the crispy pork belly!

    (5)
  • Jay G.

    OMG This is hillbilly heaven. The reviewers must never dine out. One of the worst places I can think of. The lettuce wraps were disgusting. The pork was raw. The waiter John has the personality of Lurch. They keep the lights bright which shows you just how dirty the place is. I want my money back.

    (1)
  • Maria W.

    Delicious, local food with a menu that changes with it. I've also tried Inotera and Agricola and blue bottle was my favorite by far!

    (5)
  • Sita P.

    Food it very tasty. Interesting flavor combo's and salads. It's pretty small and if you have a loud table is near you you will know every word. Last time I was there a couple near us were breaking up at the table. The reason we have not been back because I cannot stand the owner. She's rude, annoying and just randomly stops by your table and talks and talks. I called once on a Thurs for a reservation for 2 for that Friday and she just laughed at me. How rude! 5/1/14 Someone wrote me from this place to tell me if I didn't revise/delete my review I might be blacklisted from Brick farm market restaurant when it opens because some Blue bottle people will be there. Who does that? Not trying to fix the my problem just a threat. Wow.

    (1)
  • Amy c.

    The 4 of us had NYE dinner and was impressed with the menu which offered a variety of wild game and fresh fish. I had the Artic Char and my sister ordered the Grouper which was cooked perfectly while my sister's was over cooked. Both had great taste however. The boys had the Short Rib and Filet which was excellent although the portions were small. Desserts were good not great. Service was excellent and our server well informed. Would recommend The Blue Bottle Cafe

    (4)
  • Kristen P.

    From the road the Blue Bottle Cafe looks like a place that would specialize in an omelet but inside it specializes in fine dining cuisine. My experience at the Blue Bottle was fantastic from the appetizers to dessert. We started off with yuzu poached rock shrimp in a pineapple, ginger, and orange coulis. The shrimp were delicious and the coulis was sweet and tart and melted in your mouth. The Blue Bottle salad with honey vinaigrette and manchego cheese was just as refreshing. Our entrees were equally as delicious. The Griggstown chicken with smoked pesto was cooked perfectly and the goat cheese potato cake added texture and moisture to every bite. The Berkshire pork chop was an extremely generous portion and was prepared perfectly. The honey, coriander, and fennel glaze lingered in your mouth and left you craving more. The desserts were just as tasty. The strawberry rhubarb tart was just that- tart... and deliciously sweet. The chocolate hazelnut mousse was light and not too filling. Overall, Blue Bottle Cafe was delicious from start to finish. The service was attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. This is one of the best places in the area, hands down. Rather than wasting your money at an over hyped Princeton restaurant, take the 15 minutes to drive out to Hopewell, your wallet and taste buds will thank you after.

    (4)
  • Janelle M.

    We had an excellent dining experience at the Blue Bottle Cafe. The restaurant is nothing to look at from the outside, but the decor inside is nice and feels something like an electic cafe. The menu changes each season keeping the menu exciting and full of local, fresh ingredients that are in-season. My favorite menu item is the Roasted Garlic Gnocchi, but my dining companions have enjoyed the mahi mahi, artic char, salmon, and chicken dishes as well. All entrees are thoughtfully prepared and well presented. Desserts are also excellent and my favorite is the Key Lime Miroir. Other notes: BYOB and reservation is essential. Cons: the acoustics inside are terrible causing it to be very noisy.

    (5)
  • Zulay V.

    Wow. Amazing amazing food, DELECTABLE desserts, and super fast and friendly service. We couldn't believe how quickly our entrees came out!!!! This place was took me totally by surprise. I had heard and read such good reviews, but wasn't sure if it would actually live up to its fame. We stopped in at 6:30pm for dinner, and expected typical wait time for food as it was a normal dinner time and there were a good amount (but less than half the max) number of other diners around. Here's the food rundown: Didn't get appetizers because we really wanted to save room for dessert, but the menu options looked tantalizing. The bread we were served was really delicious... one piece in particular which was a soft slice of yellow-white bread with caraway seeds and golden raisins. I honestly didn't think I'd enjoy it that much but LOOOVED it. Entrees: We got :: the gnocchi, which came with bacon, sauteed greens, and a vegetable jus... it was very very good! Not authentic gnocchi by any means, but I did really enjoy the flavor and the texture... they had been cooked and then seared in the pan (I'm guessing the pan that was used to cook the bacon), so they had this really nice crunchy seared exterior. I've never had gnocchi like these and really really enjoyed them. Our other entree was the sea scallops, which came with "forbidden" black rice, asparagus, and a blood orange sauce. I was a little worried about the blood orange sauce with the scallops but ended up LOVING the combination. The scallops were cooked perfectly, the sauce was tasty and interesting without being overpowering, and the rice was soft and tender. Desserts: We got the raspberry financier and the chocolate-hazlenut mousse. Both were amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!!!!!!! the financier was like nothing I've ever had, it was this warm, soft, corn-mealy type pastry with fruit inside, and served with this delicious fruit and cream sauce and a lemon ice cream that tasted like lemon-cream. The combination of the warm pastry and cold ice cream was addictive. The mousse was also totally amazing... it's been a LONG time since I've had a mousse with such perfect texture. It was so fluffy and airy that it just felt like chocolate-hazlenut clouds in your mouth. It came topped with a chocolate ganache which I also enjoyed. It came atop a hard chocolate cookie which unfortunately I didn't like but just left aside. I think if the cookie on the bottom was less hard it'd be better... or if it was just replaced with another thick layer of ganache. We didn't know this place is BYOB, so that is definitely another plus I would add. I will ABSOLUTELY return!

    (5)
  • Allie O.

    Whose idea was it to put Cherry Grove's Toma Primavera on the burger at lunch? Well....that was a GOOD friggin idea, so bravo. I remember when this place wasn't even open yet, and I was helping my mother install the curtains she made for the adorable couple that owns the place. When it did open we had always planned to go, but never did, until last week when (years later, obviously) I finally made it. How many times do I have to tell you that I love BYOBs. They're just better. The lunch menu is simple, which makes me want to go back for dinner. Every sandwich is served with a small scoop of homemade potato salad, which bites you with the vinegar but is beautifully seasoned and refreshing, and also a little toddler's handful of salad greens in a light balsamic. This is a good thing, because in order to finish the burger, you need your whole tummy. My mouth is watering as I'm going over the flavors in my head, imagining how to put into words something so tangibly expressive. Well, it was cooked perfectly, for one. Juicy, hormone/ antibiotic free beef oozed healthy oils onto my plate, and the generous portion of incredible local cheese dripped onto the bottom part of the bun. Nothing was unnecessary, from the crispy bacon to the soft caramelized onions which added a noticeable sweetness to an otherwise sharp and salty sandwich. Oh, while I'm on the subject, is a burger considered to be a sandwich? I think so. Anyway, one really cool thing about this place is the local art they have hanging on the walls. As an artist and someone who supports the idea of local art, I love this. Aaaaaaaand I want a show too. Can't wait to go back for dinner!

    (5)
  • Jill F.

    Although one cannot argue that the food is tasty, I will never again frequent the Blue Bottle Cafe. The female owner is rude and I will not give her another penny of my money. She is inflexible, pushy and has no idea how to run a business or make customers feel welcome! Take it from me, your money is better spent elsewhere.

    (1)
  • Ken T.

    This place is a yes.

    (5)
  • D P.

    Went here recently after seeing the glowing reviews. Cons: the food was okay: - she crab soup was not traditional as stated on menu (no roe!) but it was a good crab bisque - gummy gnocchi - some items seemed to be lacking seasoning Pros: Cute atmosphere, nice staff, BYOB w/ no corkage fee, interesting menu selection, very busy and clean Would definately try again. May have just been an off night. 3 stars seem low would give 3.5 if I could. Give it a shot!

    (3)
  • Tony W.

    Blue Bottle Cafe gets a good deal of positive press around Princeton, and it is just about a 15 minute drive from my place so I thought I might try out recently. It is a rather non-descript building from the outside and cozy but nicely decorated on the inside. The tables are fairly close together and the restaurant was completely full, but my girlfriend and I felt perfectly comfortable when we were seated at our table. For appetizers, I had the poached rock shrimp cocktail and my girlfriend had the brie and mango tart. I tried and enjoyed both. For our main courses, I had the Griggstown chicken with smoked pesto while my girlfriend had the Porcini Gnocchi. The chicken was delicious and very well cooked. Both of our entrees were large and we both enjoyed what we ordered. I am not usually a fan of Gnocchi, but I did try and enjoyed hers. For desert, we split the smores tart which looked like an indulgence on the menu, but ended up being the perfect amount and a wonderful finish to a great meal. Overall, I feel the positive reviews of the Blue Bottle Cafe are warranted and I would have given 4.5 stars if this was an option. My girlfriend and I will definitely be back soon.

    (4)
  • Michele H.

    My husband and I were here in the beginning of November. We were stuck in traffic and running late, so I called and the response I received was "We'll make it up when you get here." I just wanted to know if it was a problem, we would just reschedule and that's the answer I got. When we walked in, my husband told the hostess who we were and apologized again for being late and she made no eye contact or smile or well any recognition we were there except to hand two menus to our server. Strange, right? We heard the hostess say to our server loud enough for us to hear, how our reservations were at 6:30 and we didn't show up until 6:50. I wish she had said when I called the first time we would have to reschedule, I think she wanted to punish us haha. I ordered an arugala salad which was so salty at the bottom i couldnt eat it. If our server hadn't been so robotic and cold, I probably would have mentioned it however I don't think she cared much. I also had the celery soup which was good. Hubby had the Mahi which was good. Halfway through our dinner we heard the hostess yell at a different server how they should never serve a Cappacino in a coffee mug. Tyrant much? I don't know what else to say, I'll never come back.

    (2)
  • Tyler R.

    What a hidden gem.... This place has fast become my favorite restaurant in the area. The menu changes seasonally and the chefs always do a fantastic job of keeping things interesting and putting together dishes with great flavor profiles. The last time I went I got the venison which was fantastic and before that it was the griggstown chicken pot pie. All of the appetizers and deserts ordered were absolutely on point and the service was friendly and attentive. Its really great to have such a quiet small and friendly place cooking such amazing dishes right around the corner. This place is definitely worth checking. A "must-go"

    (5)
  • Steven H.

    This must be the best affordable restaurant in this side of he Hudson. Very well prepared food, beautifully presented. We have been coming here for four years, from a considerable distance and we think it is worth it.

    (5)
  • J D.

    We ate at Blue Bottle Cafe in November 2009 and the meal was a solid 4.5. In retrospect, I rounded down to a 4 because it just wasn't *quite* as outstanding as what I expect out of a 5-star restaurant. To start, we had some minor issues with our reservation and getting seated that took about 15 minutes of standing and waiting to resolve. The hostess and owner were very friendly and got us seated as soon as possible. We brought our own wine (BYOB, no corkage fee) and had looked over the menu in advance, so we ordered the pan-seared crabcake and roasted beet salad as our first course right away. The beet salad was quite good, but the crabcake was a little over-cooked on one side. However, the corn and red pepper relish that accompanied the crabcake was delicious. For our entrees, my wife ordered the tamarind-braised short ribs and I had the tenderloin. Entrees took a little long to come to the table, but both were hot and clearly hadn't been left sitting. The short ribs were very interesting; we both agreed that the tamarind sauce was a little too strong, but the short ribs were tender and delicious. (They were actually much better the next day -- the couscous soaked up the tamarind sauce and beef juices and the flavor mellowed in a really outstanding way.) The tenderloin wasn't quite as noteworthy. It came with a sweet potato puree, a port wine and shallot compote, and a gratin of swiss chard and parmesan in a small crock on the side. Everything tasted good, but there didn't seem to be any real plan to the dish -- nothing really went together aside from the tenderloin and shallot compote, which is a pretty basic combination. We ended by splitting the white chocolate and raspberry bread pudding, which was excellent -- we should have ordered two. We will definitely go back to Blue Bottle Cafe -- it was a good experience, but it does have room to improve.

    (4)
  • Kristina B.

    I went with my husband for the first time.The food was fantastic!We will definitly be coming back.

    (5)
  • Mark Y.

    Always a great dinner - love the scallops! It's our "sure thing" place to take friends to dinner who have not yet been.

    (5)
  • Shawn B.

    Excellent service and food is outstanding! We have been here a few times over the past year and always leave very happy. The duck and tuna are amazing!

    (5)
  • Michael W.

    The Blue Bottle regularly serves the most creative and well executed food in Central NJ. It is clearly on a par with highly rated restaurants in NYC. The service is very good with polite and well informed staff and the chefs wife is there, circulating and adding to the quality. The space is a bit on the noisy side and the decor isn't comparable to the food, but for me, food is critical and service important. It's also very popular, so weekend reservations need some planning and spur of the moment dinners only work in off periods or for lunch.

    (5)
  • Allyson P.

    So incredibly delicious. I dream of going back to Blue Bottle! Pricey but worth it. I dressed up and saw that many of the locals wore jeans, too bad. Was the closest to Parisian fare I've found so far.

    (5)
  • Aimee K.

    After reading the great reviews for so long, hubby and I finally made it for dinner. Really outstanding quality of ingredients and the dishes are well thought out and executed. The menu is seasonal, so check it out online to get an idea of the flavors, especially if you are going to BYO wine. For my appetizer, I had the strudel with butternut squash and goat cheese that was light and also rich, deep roasted flavor from the squash. I had arctic char for my entree, the skin was crisped so well it was like a cracker, yet the fish was still moist. Dinner starts with some nice sliced artisan breads, our basket included raisin/rosemary and a hearty multigrain. Don't miss dessert, they are also made in house and seasonally inspired. Service was good, my pet peeve is having water glasses topped off without having to flag someone down, they have bus boys who keep on top of this. Our server was cordial and appeared at the appropriate times. The spaces within the restaurant are somewhat small, but it's only an issue in that your conversation can be disrupted by someone loud at the adjacent table, so I couldn't recommend it for an intimate/romantic dinner. Parking lot is small, be prepared to park on the nearby dark residential street.

    (5)
  • Walter P.

    My wife and I ate there last night and we had an excellent meal. The wild boar ragu was delicious and my wife raved about the scallops. The menu is limited and there are no specials but there are enough selections to please everyone. We also enjoyed the fact that it was BYOB. The single downside was our waitress. She was very cool, bordering on unfriendly or simply bored. When I asked if there were any specials, she replied, "Everything is special". And she had that condescending affectation, "What are we having tonight?" Sorry honey, but you're not invited. If you can avoid her (the check listed her name as "D") you'll have a terrific evening.

    (5)
  • Florence D.

    This restaurant was phenomenal. From appetizer to dessert everything was tasty. The menu may be smaller than other restaurants but each meal is created in it's unique way. My husband and I ordered the flounder and the peking duck and switched plates half way through (neither of us could decide on an entree, so this seemed like a good alternative). Both dishes were wonderful. This was our first visit to Blue Bottle Cafe but we will definitely be returning.

    (5)
  • anthony P.

    Had dinner their with my wife last week. We both concluded it was the best meal we have ever had. The menu is not expansive, but this allows them to concentrate on flavor, which they achieve using really fresh ingredients. We each had one app before our entree. I chose the squid and octopus salad, the coloring was great and the citrus zest made the meal. My Wife got a fabulous salad Gorgonzola cheese, topped with a healthy serving of fleshly made and crumbled bacon. Our entrees were simply perfect. I chose the "pork duo" which featured perfectly cooked pork shoulder that crumpled with the touch of my fork and tasted like it had been gloriously marinated in barbecue sauce for days. The greens which accompanied it, were so perfectly bitter and paired rather well with the reduction sauce on my pork loin. My Wife had the Yellow-fin Tuna which was cooked exactly as ordered (medium), just a hint of pink and the mashed potatoes???? they were the best we had ever tasted. So creamy, whipped to perfection with just this hint of butter in every bite. For desert, we shared a peach cobbler with the world's best whipped cream...so glad we saved room. The only drawback: size. Without a reservation on a weekend night, you are likely waiting a while and even with one there isn't a lot of wiggle room at your tables. But oh the food! The food makes it so worth it and the the tables are not so close that you cannot still have an intimaite convo with a loved one or a small group of friends. Nothing great comes cheap and you can easily expect to spend $100 for a couple, but the price was well worth it and then some.

    (5)
  • Rad B.

    Really cute place! My parents brought me here for my 21st birthday for a special dinner. I'm really fuzzy on the details but wanted to chime in and say that it was a SUPER nice place. Food was tasty and the service was excellent. For a tiny little place, I think it's definitely a gem of a restaurant.

    (4)
  • DREW P.

    Excellent experience! Friendly staff, best server I've had in years and top notch food. They didn't miss a beat. Looking forward to next visit.

    (5)
  • Matthew C.

    Great place to eat!! Plus its BYOB!!! Place fills up fast on the weekends. However, lunch is just as good and cheaper. The only drawback is the restaurant is small so you might end up sitting next to that loud table of 8 with 10 bottles of wine. The manager is very talky! She will sometimes come by chatting away in the middle of your conversation. If your looking for more of an upscale quiet atmosphere go to Harvest Moon Inn in Ringoes, NJ.

    (4)
  • S M.

    My husband and I absolutely love the Blue Bottle Cafe for it's food, ambiance, and service. Don't let the unremarkable exterior fool you, there is culinary art being prepared inside! There is a very small menu that changes occasionally and adds seasonal items, but unless you are a very picky eater or need huge diner-style menu options you can't go wrong with any choice. I have had meals of steak and short ribs that linger in my mind for the rest of the week they are so perfectly cooked and fresh. While not inexpensive, in our opinion it is worth the cost in every aspect, plus you don't have to waste money on alcohol markups because it is BYOB.

    (5)
  • John L.

    I have been here three times in the last year or so and most times the food is excellent. But not always 5 star like it was when it first opened. I have seen complaints about less than stellar service but I have never experienced any issue here at all. Service has been courteous and prompt, never rushed. Presentation of dishes is very good, but sometimes with the more complicated dishes the sum of the parts does not quite add up. The simpler dishes are always very good. In the end, this is stil one of the top restaurants in the mercer or bucks area.

    (4)
  • Anna S.

    Outstanding service and delicious food! Stopped here when looking for a good meal during a work trip and was not disappointed! I love a good hometown restaurant. Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Jessica L.

    This place is good. Period. Make a reservation otherwise you won't be eating for a while.

    (4)
  • Johanna V.

    Everything works about this place - the food is fabulous, the service great and the atmosphere very pleasant. nothing pretentious. just delicious food at reasonable prices.

    (5)
  • Frank S.

    So I drove all the way out there for a birthday celebration. The Blue Bottle Cafe is presumably a local hotspot (among not many other things, though...) and it is, hands down, well worth a drive. The restaurant is located in a small local house and fills up the entire first floor. I had the chance to try the Nova Scotia mussels in Billi Bi broth*, with sausage; a mixed green salad with red grapes, toasted hazelnuts and shaved manchego cheese; the "duo of duck", alias for maigret de canard (duck breast) with foie gras on "I do not remember with what but it was very yummy"- flavored mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts and las not least a filet of skate with sweet potato mash and snow peas. To make a long story short: Everything was simply delicious. Unfortunately they do not have a liquor license, but I do still give five stars as the brussels sprouts were the best I ever had.... If you might drive all the way out there, just promise me to carpool, ok? ;-) *PS you didn't know that this is based on saffron, did you ... ??

    (5)
  • Joe W.

    My wife and I have eaten here on many occasions. I am not sure why I waited around so long to post a review. This restaurant is top notch and you would not expect it from looking at the place. It's basically in a little cape cod style house that has been spread out with an extension to accomodate more diners. Every time I have been I have been completely satisfied with the experience. Gnocchi with Roasted Brussel sprouts was the last meal I had and I remember it vividly as being exceptional. We have never had a bad experience and the staff appear to be largely related to the owner which is always a good measure of what you can expect.

    (4)
  • Cherryl L.

    We came to this restaurant last year. Saturday night. All i do remember is that from the amuse bouche to dessert is awesome. I think I ate most of the tasting menu on what we have on my plate. It's more likely $75/per person. that's with wine pairings w/ the food. it was 6 of us that ate there. I would go back in here again if i had the chance to go. The owner was very nice to us and she came to tell us what we're having in each course and also she tells us what wine that paired with the dish we have. It was cozy and warm and the people are very welcoming.

    (5)
  • Proteus D.

    We live 5 minutes away in Skillman and have been hearing people rave about this place for months. We took the plunge and gave it a shot on a warm, August Thursday night. The place looks nothing special from the outside .... like a white trailer .... but don't let that fool you. The food is outstanding and mostly locally sourced. It's BYO so we spoiled ourselves and brought along a bottle of SB from our honeymoon in New Zealand. We shared a tortilla salad for starters and then for the main I had the Griggstown Chicken Breast with Black Bean and Pulled Chicken Muneta, Corn Polenta, Grilled Red Onion and Avocado and my wife had the Barramundi with Swiss Chard, Heirloom Tomatoes, Jersey Corn, Orzo and Basil Scallion Aioli. Both dishes were exquisite. I didn't have a favorite....they were both outstanding. Not too salty, very flavorsome and nice healthy portions. For dessert we had the White Chocolate and Raspberry Bread Pudding with Bent Spoon Mascarpone Ice Cream and Raspberry Coulis and the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse, Brown Butter and Cookie Crust, with Chocolate Ganache and Cocoa Sauce. Both were extremely yummy and finished off a very pleasurable experience. It cost us about $100 inc. tip, which was pricey but good value given the quality of the food. We will be back for sure.

    (5)
  • Jim M.

    We love this place! Rory is attentive to everyone and her husband is the chef. Whenever we have a chance this is the place we pick. We used to wait for babysitters, but our young gourmands are just as into it as we are. Menu varies by season, but you cannot go wrong with the blue bottle salad with manchego, goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts - MMM. It is a BYO, so bring one, or there is a decent wine shop (Hopewell House) at the other end of town.

    (4)
  • James P.

    This restaurant is like Cheers meets Per Se. The Serious Foodie and crew are addicted to Chef Aaron's take on fresh local ingredients, a deft touch of mixing flavors, and flexing his CIA muscles on wonderful saucing. The menu changes seasonally, and locals line up to get a first look at the menu. The pastry chef, greeter, and entertaining personality Rory (and chef's wife) offers a great desserts and positively adds to the restaurant's vibe. What's not to like? PS: It's hard to believe we're only the second group to review this gem on Yelp.

    (5)
  • Nancy K.

    A cottage-y little BYOB bistro. Wonderful gnocchi, but the onion tart appetizer was just average. Would definitely go again.

    (4)
  • Alexander L.

    It has been nearly 2 years since I last ate at Blue Bottle, but the few times I went were great experiences. Wonderful food, good service, cozy atmosphere, BYOB. While I haven't eaten there in some time, I have only heard good things from friends. It offers hands down the best overall dining experience in the Princeton area (much better than Lahiere's and, in my opinion, a more consistent and well run restaurant than elements).

    (5)
  • Jim B.

    Building is nondescript but three dining rooms are nicely decorated and inviting. A white tablecloth place. Plus they swap out the silverware between courses as needed. Our server at lunch was young but professional, attentive, fast. One other server seemed to be working hard as well. Hostess seemed to be taking it easy. Food was very good. We split a cheese plate to start which was nicely done. My wife had the sirloin which was very nice and a big portion. They served the steak cut in two which tells you instantly that it is cooked as your requested; somebody may complain about this but I think it is acceptable since this is not a steakhouse. I went with the diver scallops which were as nice as I have had in years. Espresso and cappuccino. We split the lemon tiramisu for dessert which was just OK. This place is described on Yelp as New American - French but I saw nothing French on the menu. Nice place but very loud with the two dining rooms half full. They could have spread the tables more. For instance I would have seated the seven top in the third dining room which was empty. Great food at reasonable prices. BYOB. We will go back. Too bad that they don't do brunch on weekends. I am not an easy grader so four stars which are well earned. WI-Fi password is printed on the menu.

    (4)
  • MaryEllen L.

    We live in Wayne and met friends from Cherry Hill for dinner here, as we meet at different, but special, restaurants three times a year. It was my turn to find a restaurant that will please all. I was sooooo happy to have chosen the Blue Bottle. The food was delicious, service was outstanding (friendly, helpful, wonderful smiles) and we could not have had a better night. Since we only see each other a few times a year, we really like to catch up on things, and the staff did not hurry us at all. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Since they have seasonal menus, I would look at the menu first to make sure everyone will be happy...but no matter what you choose to eat it will be great! BYO was a real plus.

    (5)
  • A B.

    We loved this restaurant! Nice atmosphere. I lived in France for 4 years and it really has a French atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Madeline Z.

    I had high hopes for Blue Bottle Cafe, as various people have recommended it to me on numerous occasions. Moreover, it is extremely difficult to get a reservation here, and we had to settle for a 5:45pm seating. Nothing was particularly memorable - neither good nor bad - about the experience. The meal peaked with the celery root and apple soup. However, the remainder of the meal seemed to focus heavily on the sauces rather preparing fresh quality sides. The duck breast was cooked perfectly, but the fried red rice was swimming in soy sauce (would you like some rice with that salt?) Overall, the meal was lacklustre and overpriced for the quality.

    (3)
  • Tracy W.

    Very cute and homey atmosphere here at Blue Bottle! I started the evening with the Blue Bottle salad which I highly recommend. Fresh greens, grapes, hazelnuts, and shaved manchego. Delicious. I also sampled the crab and corn chowder; a little spicy and a lot wonderful. The server gladly informed us of the ingredients when we asked her how the broth was made. There are only a few vegetarian / pescetarian options on the menu. Having had seafood the night before, I decided to try the basmati rice cake. It was topped with grilled veggies and cheese and plated with a chick pea purée and a smoked tomato vinaigrette. It was very creative and tasted great. Desserts shouldn't be missed. We ordered three for the table and shared. Try the vanilla bean cheesecake! The cappuccino was perfect and served with a rock candy stirrer. Service was prompt and attentive; reservations needed; BYOB.

    (4)
  • Tom D.

    We were looking forward to the summer menu, number XXVl and by the end of the evening we all agreed it was a delicious meal from a diverse menu. We shared plates to get a taste of everything coming from the talented kitchen Appetizers were a toasted flatbread with truffled ricotta, roasted corn, shitakes, caramelized red onions. This starter was loaded with flavor, those caramelized onions tied the dish together nicely. A large portion that was easily shared. Also had a summer vegetable panzanella salad with heirloom tomatoes, toasted sourdough, cucumber, red onion, arugula and tomato balsamic vinaigrette. A perfect summer salad that looked as good as it tasted. Had to sample the sample the gnocchi which are always a treat. The preparation was unique. Homemade pecorino gnocchi with toasted garlic, kalamata and cured Moroccan olives, capers, tomatoes and wilted arugula. Tender and feather light with bold savory flavors, just plain delicious. Entrees were every bit as good, duo of beef was a fork tender Wagyu tri tip and smoked beef brisket with Jersey corn polenta and summer slaw was the ultimate Jersey summer picnic on a plate. A special of duck was very special, roasted duck breast along with a good sized piece of foie grascame was over braised lentils, chanterelles, baby carrots with a tamarind beet sauce. It looked great and tasted even better. Indulgent and tasty is a very good combination :) Pan seared scallops with forbidden black rice, glazed bok choy, shiso pesto and dashi broth was delicious. Close your eyes and you could be 8,000 miles away enjoying this dish. Very full, the consensus was to get one dessert and share. The lemon meringue pie was perfect, juicy, tart and came with blueberry and raspberry coulis. Service as usual was excellent, with Chef Aaron Philipson running the kitchen and pastry Chef Rory Philipson running the front of BB dining here is a real pleasure.

    (5)
  • Dave W.

    This is our 3rd visit and it was very good, not excellent as in the past visits. Appetizers consisted of a shared portion of the Goat Cheese Gnocchi with English Peas, Broccoli and Pancetta. I found the gnocchi to be tough, a little too brown, and the pancetta was way too crunchy. We also had the Spinach Salad which was excellent. Entrees were Pan Seared Day Scallops, Pan Seared Organic Salmon, Cornmeal Crusted Flounder and a Braised Pork Shank. All were excellent and I brought half of my pork shank home. Service was excellent and the fact that it is BYOB makes it a nice evening.

    (4)
  • Chris W.

    .

    (4)
  • Theresa L.

    I do not understand the positive reviews of this restaurant. Our experience was mediocre at best. It started out ok with the blue bottle salad and mushroom soup, but went downhill from there. My husband had the duo of boar which was salty and uninspired. I had the trout meal described on the menu, but they were out of trout and substituted grouper instead. The fish was totally overcooked and the dish was a mishmosh of flavors that did not go together. We will not be eating here again.

    (2)
  • John V.

    My mom always told me "Everything in this world has a price", We recently visited the Blue Bottle and found the dishes offered to be delicious and prepared with fresh ingredients, served at the exact temperature that was requested and full of flavor (if a bit over sauced). I had the pork loin and pork belly dish which was wonderful. My wife had the Salmon also prepared perfectly. for dessert we had the cheese tray, which should be offered as a appetizer so we could have something to nibble on with wine, Unfortunately the service was no where near the level of the food. Our server was rude and curt with us, we also noticed her complaining to another server about how long we were taking to place our order. keep in mind this was approximately 5 minutes after we sat down. We finally put an end to our servers attitude when she was called on it; my wife asked her if there was a problem and if we were being bad guests because we noticed that she had a bit of an attitude and we overheard her complaining. well this changed her tune and she was pleasant and helpful for the rest of the evening. We were interested in attending a wine tasting / dinner that was scheduled for a few weeks form now but were concerned about what was being offered on the menu. My wife has food celiac disease which limits what she can eat. So we asked about the menu to see if it would be OK for her. Again, we felt like we were pulling on the dogs tail because the person who we spoke to did everything but tell us we were full of crap and to go eat somewhere else. (come to find out it was the owner). I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?!? all in all , great food, decent atmosphere, crappy service. perhaps we went on a bad night, it was a full moon, or I was in the middle of an episode of Punk'ed. other reviews seem to like the place. I am just sharing my personal experience.

    (2)
  • Sara L.

    Look, I'm not entirely sure that this is a 5 star, it's probably a 4 and a half, but you really have to consider the location and there's no way there's anything near as good as this anywhere in the area, so I'm giving it the 5. The food is delicious and although their menu doesn't change super frequently, it does change with the seasons so you get variety, not just the same choices over and over again. But one of the best things is how good they are about having gluten-free options. It's not just one or two menu items, it's usually the majority of the dishes that can be made gluten-free or are gluten-free which is fantastic.

    (5)
  • Jenny L.

    We ordered a duo beef and a venison both dishes taste very good. No wonder they got a 36 in Zagat. This place is very homie so it's good for families and dates. Definitely worth coming back

    (5)
  • Jay K.

    Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants ever!! Literally everything I've had from the place I have loved!!

    (5)
  • Hannah D.

    Cute & quaint.

    (4)
  • Gautham R.

    Simply excellent!! This is a very small place in the first floor of what used to be a house in Hopewell. The three season room in the back can be booked for group lunches/dinners. Been here several times now, each time was better than the last. Small and focused menu -- a definite plus!! BYOB, so decide on what you'll be ordering ahead of time and bring along your choice of wine(s) that best complement your meal. Try the crab cake as your first course. For second course, the chicken breast, the steak or the scallops are to die for and you can't go wrong with any one of these. The main courses are served with seasonal sides, so even if you get the same dish every time, the complementary side dishes will make the meal a completely different experience!! Pricey, but fully worth the price for the delectable gourmet meal. I am very picky about my desserts, and the desserts at this place are pretty good, but not great. I've tried the financier with toasted almond ice cream, and also the chocolate mousse. Both were above average, but I wouldn't classify them as excellent. Take your time at this place, enjoy your BYOB wine, and eat your meal in leisure. Definitely not the kind of place for dining and dashing.

    (5)
  • Jackie T.

    Love the Blue Bottle Cafe - they have friendly and attentive service and great food. This is also a great place for small group lunches or dinners. Parking lot accessible.

    (5)
  • Laura M.

    First things first, the food at Blue Bottle is outstanding. We have never been disappointed. The quality and uniqueness of flavor combinations is always delicious here. And we love that it's a BYOB, it allows us to have a wonderful high end meal yet save a good deal of money on wine. The only reason I give blue bottle 4 stars is that the service and general attitude of the staff is a bit standoffish. They are courteous to a minimal degree but definitely do not go out of their way to make you feel super welcome. Last night, our server didn't even mention her name or say good evening, just went right into, "are you ready to order?" Now she wasn't rude about it at all, and we didn't feel neglected but there just wasn't a whole lot of warmth in the atmosphere there. I guess I can call the service there very European/Parisian. They bring you your meal then leave you to enjoy the company you're with. Not a bad thing, just something to be aware of when dining there. No doubt we will be back!

    (4)
  • Richard F.

    My current favorite restaurant in NJ. The gnocchi is always to die for. I don't know how Aaron does it, but it is unlike gnocchi from any other restaurant. Everything else we have had has always been top quality. Plus we like that it is BYOB.

    (5)
  • Vikrum I.

    Very much enjoyed my meal here! A great BYOB place with very tasty food.

    (5)
  • Maria P.

    Fab food. The owner is arrogant and rude. I would never dine in this no class establishment again.

    (1)
  • Kate F.

    Can't say enough great stuff about this place. One thing I'd like to mention that I don't believe has been covered by other reviewers -- they are amazing when it comes to accommodating dietary needs, or even just personal preferences. It's never a problem to request something like, "The chicken entree sounds great, but I don't eat meat -- could you replace it with fish?" Service is as good as it gets, menu is as good as it gets, and I've never experienced buyer's remorse after eating at The Blue Bottle because the food is 100% worth the price.

    (5)
  • Michael B.

    Calling all NJ Foodies! Heck -- Calling Foodies everywhere! The Blue Bottle Cafe in Hopewell, NJ is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys delicious cuisine. The building itself is fairly nondescript from the outside, looking like it could have been a home or even a doctor's office at some point in the past -- but once inside, one is instantly transported to a very ecclectic bistro-like setting. In fact, there are three distinct dining areas in this establishment. The first, to the left, is rather nondescript (though it seemed as if most of the diners were seated here). The second, to the right, seemed the most interesting area. It was decorated with the signature "blue bottles" and other blue ceramics and pottery. This is where my wife and I were seated and I'm glad for it. Although, when we first arrived, the 60s French pop that was coming through the speakers did seem a tad loud because of the fairly low ceiling. There is a third dining area as well that I did not get to fully see, but it looked to be an enclosed porch area with large windows. The menu at The Blue Bottle Cafe is seasonal, and it apparently changes regularly. They use only local, farm-fresh ingredients and it shows! Their website does feature some "Sample Menus", but they didn't entirely match up to what we were presented with. For those looking for plenty of options to choose from, you may be disappointed, but it must be noted that many of the items are gluten-free. The current (Spring 2009) menu featured one soup, four appetizers, three salads, and ten entrees -- all of which sounded fantastic! (We were slightly disappointed that this season's menu featured no chicken or vegetarian dishes.) My wife and I each had an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. So let's get to it then, shall we? The Appetizers: - Prince Edward Island Mussels with Artichoke, Garlic, Lemon, Olive Oil, Whole-Grain Mustard, Sauce Barigoule ($12.50) -- I knew it was going to be a good meal when my wife received her appetizer. It smelled delicious, and it was. The mussels were as plump as I've ever seen and cooked to perfection. The sauce and the artichokes were sublime. No taste seemed to overwhelm the other; they simply blended in perfect harmony. - Blue Bottle Salad: Mixed Baby Greens, with Sliced Red Grapes, Toasted Hazelnuts, Red Wine and Honey Vinaigrette, Shaved Manchego Cheese ($8.00) -- My appetizer. I shocked myself by ordering a salad (something I rarely do), but I do not regret it at all. It was wonderful and made with the freshest ingredients possible. This salad also introduced me to Manchego cheese (a Spanish cheese, I learned, made from sheep's milk) -- Wow! I've already made the trek to Wegmann's and bought myself a wedge (for some cheese and crackers tonight)! The Entrees: - Jail Island Filet of Salmon with 'Manhattan' Shellfish Broth, Clams, Shrimp, Potatoes, Tomato and Leeks ($26.00) -- My wife's entree was delicious. Like her appetizer, the ingredients worked together so harmoniously. The salmon itself was perhaps the best I've ever tried. - Grilled Tenerloin of Beef, Garlic and Chive Potato Strudel, Roasted Asparagus, Foie Gras Hollandaise ($30.00) -- Words can't do justice to my entree. They really can't. So, this is all I can offer you here: (Yum!) The Desserts: - Blackberry and Almond Financier with Blackberry Sauce and Bent Spoon Earl Grey Ice Cream ($8.50) -- Wondeful blackberry and almond tart accompanied by some delicious Earl Grey Ice Cream that had a wonderful citrus finish. - Green Apple Vacherin with Granny Smith Sorbet Crisp Meringue, Guava Sauce, Apple Puree and Spiced Cream ($8.50) -- Incredibly complex, yet subtle flavors made this the perfect ending to my meal. Highly recommended if on the menu. Besides offering fantastic cuisine, The Blue Bottle Cafe also offers wonderful service. The entire staff was attentive and helpful. Overall, my experience at The Blue Bottle Cafe was an entirely satisfying one and I hope to go back as soon (and as often) as I can. (I must give my wife some props for taking some very spy-rific shots of the menus so I could write this review. Oh -- and I have to thank my wife for helping me find The Blue Bottle Cafe in the first place (and I'll just leave it at that, because otherwise, I'd have to get into this entire story about driving to the Honda dealership and, well, this review is long enough!)

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Intimate
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

The Blue Bottle Cafe

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