Bethesda: Black’s Kitchen and Bar (December 2019) Lin to my review



My spouse and I visited Black’s Bar and Kitchen twice in December, the first time for drinks and dessert on a Sunday night, and the second time for a full meal (also on a Sunday night). Black’s is open daily for lunch/brunch and dinner. Guests can book a spot using the online Open Table reservation system. 

Black’s Bar and Kitchen opened in the late 1990s on Woodmont Avenue in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood. (We stayed nearby at The Bethesdan [a Hilton property that was formerly called the Doubletree], and it was a short walk from the hotel to Black’s.) The restaurant space is divided in two almost equal places: the main dining room and the bar room, which also contains booth and table seating. The rear of the space features an open kitchen. Al fresco dining is available in appropriate weather on a dedicated front sidewalk patio that even includes a fire pit feature. Black’s is part of the Black Restaurant Group, which also operates Black Jack, Blacksalt, Blacksalt Fish Market, Black Market Bistro, Republic, Addie’s, TILT, and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (in DC, Potomac, Garrett Park, and Takoma Park). 

Black’s serves American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and grilled meats. On our first visit, we tried an impressive dessert of bourbon apple pound cake (with streusel topping, caramelized apples, bourbon ice cream, whipped cream, and caramel). On our second visit, we enjoyed a complete meal, beginning with the delicious and lightly breaded/fried Rhode Island calamari as a starter (topped with shredded Parmesan cheese and served with a sort of remoulade sauce). For our main dishes, we ordered the amazing seared scallops (served with rainbow chard, mashed potatoes, and an excellent crawfish beurre blanc sauce) and the bone-in pork chop (plated with a small mixed green salad with vinaigrette dressing) with a side dish of macaroni and cheese gratin (so yummy with its buttered/toasted breadcrumb topping). For dessert, we shared the elaborate purple sweet potato pie (with toasted marshmallow topping, shortbread cookie, ice cream, sweet potato chips, and edible flowers). Black’s also offers a raw (seafood) bar as well as a full (drinks) bar that serves wine, beer, and cocktails.

We loved our visits to Black’s; the food and service were excellent, and the atmosphere was enjoyable. We will definitely return!







First Visit (Dessert Only):



Second Visit (Dinner):









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