The Black Cat - Cambria

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1. ER

   EdwardR

   San Diego

   10 reviews

   4.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall4food3service5ambience5

   Although Black Cat was good, my wife and I were expecting a little more. Very cute restaurant with an excellent wine list and very good service. The menu looked amazing and there were a number of dishes we wanted to try. First, the clam chowder was terrific and I'd order it again and again. I liked the fish special of the night the presentation and taste was lovely. Unfortunately my wife had the spicy shrimp pasta which was less than satisfactory--at least to us. Shrimp pieces were small and there was a distinct seasoning aftertaste which was not very satisfying. Perhaps we just ordered the wrong item. Serving size was quite large.

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   28 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   28 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall4food5service4ambience5

   Very nice meal. Service was good. Ambiance cozy. The place kinda looks like a disaster from the outside—they need to upgrade their exterior appearance. But get past that and you’ll have a nice experience.

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3. KI

   KennethI

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   had 5:30pm reservation, showed up on time. front door was locked with a closed sign.

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4. JF

   JohnF

   Los Angeles

   7 reviews

   2.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 16 May 2022

   overall2food1service4ambience2

   Had great meals before but have not been in a few years. Appetizers were not well executed. The duck entree was inedible. They took it off the check and gave us free dessert. Service was very good and staff was very nice. But the execution from the kitchen was so poor I don't imagine we will go back

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5. M

   Marybeth

   Tahoe

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 15 May 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The restaurant was quaint and very cozy. Food was fantastic, especially the scallops. Wow! My only negative comment would be about the ants crawling along the windowsill in the outdoor patio area. Seems like a regular exterior spray treatment would eliminate this.

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6. R

   Raw70

   Los Angeles

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 14 May 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Excellent food and service..it was so good we went twice during our vacation!!!

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7. s

   savoryfoodie

   Denver

   25 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   25 reviews

   Dined on 11 May 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We were celebrating my wife’s birthday. The scallops and local wine paired perfectly. The chocolate dessert was a very nice touch. I highly recommend!

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8. AC

   ACD1

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 1 May 2022

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   Great food, really nice waiter. Would recommend!!

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9. RA

   RobertA

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 1 May 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Food and the service was terrific, we are already talking about going back soon.

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10. DD

    DarleneD

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on 1 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Black Cat is a very cozy restaurant, with a lot of ambience - small seating areas, with colorful decor and a fireplace. Imagine an old house turned into a restaurant, with each of the rooms a separate seating area. Parking is easy. When seated, we were given a choice among several tables, which I really appreciated. The server was great - very friendly and there when we needed her, but not hovering. The food was incredible. We started with a cheese tray, which had a selection of delicious fruits, cheeses, olives, bread, and honey! I had the Polenta and my husband had the Chicken Piccata. Both were outstanding. We will definitely eat here again

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11. J

    Jenny

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 28 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience2

    Food was very good. Service good. The small room we were in was rather dismal and lacked any atmosphere. Try to get a table in the main room where one comes in, which is brighter and more cheerful.

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12. MG

    MaryG

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A favorite. Great food and a wonderful evening, as usual.

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13. c

    claudia

    Denver

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 23 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    wonderful atmosphere, food and staff. Relaxing music. We have been coming for years.

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14. BK

    BKDiners

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on 15 April 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Had our anniversary dinner there. First time we tried the Black Cat, having driven by and not been drawn by their funky exterior. What a pleasant surprise to find the interior so cozy and charming. Food was good, not great. My steak over seasoned and chewy. Wife’s duck was very good though. Overall it was a nice dinner and we will return for another meal.

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15. M

    Michael

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 11 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent. Great food, friendly service. Even the desserts were worthwhile.

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16. LN

    LisaN

    New England

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 9 April 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Nice dinner while visiting Cambria. Especially enjoyed smaller rooms where we could hear each other talk. Kitchen did a nice job splitting entree for us to share.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    16 reviews

    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 8 April 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience2

    We were reluctant upon entering as the outside sign and garden needed maintenance. Also, we were surprised there were no diners during prime dinner time and we had been turned away from 2 other restaurants because we had no reservation and wait time was an hour or more. The food was good, but my friend and I agreed it was overpriced. Waitstaff was very attentive, but there was on two more parties that came in during our dinner.

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18. s

    santafedla

    New Mexico

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 3 April 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    There was some attitude from the staff when we requested the table by the window that had just opened up instead of the interior one next to a blank wall. Our friendly waiter and delicious food made up for that quickly. It was a bad start though. We almost left. It was a simple and nicely made request.

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19. CF

    CaliforniaFoodie

    New York Area

    16 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 1 April 2022

    overall3food1service4ambience4

    The menu looks great but they need someone in the kitchen that knows how to cook. Everything was off. Sauces were not correct and items were over cooked.

    Report
20. JL

    JosetteL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very nice atmosphere and the food was delicious. Just wished they had more non alcohol drinks

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21. L

    Lovetoeatandcook

    San Francisco

    46 reviews

    4.0

    46 reviews

    Dined on 1 April 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    There were so many yummy-looking dishes on the menu that it was hard to choose. Service was warm and efficient. The two mains we tried—duck and scallops—were both delicious.

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22. KG

    KeriG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Black Cat is a very charming place, with amazing food and wine. The rib eye and scallops my husband and I had were amazing! The staff did a wonderful job and treated us to dessert in honor of our anniversary. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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23. CL

    ChrisL

    Los Angeles

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 31 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food & tremendous service.

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24. B

    Beachgirl

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 29 March 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5

    The Black Cat is in a old cottage built in 1930s. It’s very charming! The food is outstanding and our server was excellent.

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25. J

    Jackie

    New England

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 26 March 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience1

    This was the worst food I’ve ever had in my entire life. I was able to take a few bites of the salmon but my boyfriend could not take more than one bite of the seared tuna. It was inedible. Severely overpriced for the quality. If the nearest In-N-Out weren’t so far away, we’d have gone there immediately after. Gas station chips had to suffice.

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26. w

    wineanddine

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 24 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Went there for my friend’s birthday food was outstanding as well as the service. I’ve been there many times and they never disappoint.

    Report
27. JJ

    JodyJune

    Central Coast

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on 22 March 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience3

    The food was very good not as great as our first time here a year ago. Nevertheless it was a lovely evening.

    Report
28. CB

    ChrisB

    Orange County

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on 21 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a delicious meal - lamb chops with mashed potatoes cooked perfectly & flat iron steak. Dessert was a chocolate cream pot so good!I Patio was pet friendly so we enjoyed dinner with our best friend.

    Report
29. MW

    MaryW

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 21 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    If you are in Cambria you definitely need to dine at the Black Cat! The all aspects of the restaurant are excellent - ambience, friendly attentive service and delicious food. The price point is comparable to other restaurants in the area, but quality of food and dining experience is so much better!

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30. O

    Ooma

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The food was exceptionally delicious. My scallops were among a best ever, as was my husband’s rack of lamb. The service was truly excellent without being intrusive. My only complaint was the party of four seated directly behind us- they were way too loud for the quiet atmosphere the restaurant clearly aims for. But that’s not really under the control of the staff.

    Report
31. T

    Terry

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 8 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This quaint little restaurant reminds me of a fine dining restaurant I attended in Quebec City: The two chefs in the kitchen were very well trained by a French Chef and they rendered every aspect of each dish flawlessly. Flavour, texture, temperature, plating/presentation were all excellent! My wife had the sea scallops with a special sauce (like a Mornay) and they were excellent, and I had the duck breast with scalloped potatoes...and the were all done perfectly. The service was attentive but non-intrusive and we were sitting in a quiet room by a fireplace. Overall, it was such a great experience that we returned the next evening!

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 5 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food and terrific service! Accommodated my husband’s garlic allergy very well by altering recipe for scallops.

    Report
33. R

    Reinequeen

    San Francisco

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on 1 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Scallop dish with corn was delicious. Sea bass also very good. Good service and lovely dining area. Will be back.

    Report
34. SR

    StaceyR

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful food and service. Can’t wait to go back!

    Report
35. m

    mvofny

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 25 February 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Good food, great service, in a cozy environment, with a very reasonable curated wine list.

    Report
36. PC

    PaulC

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The rack of lamb and Duck was excellent. Well prepared and tasty!

    Report
37. LW

    LyndsW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 February 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    The food was great, the location was quaint, and the bill was far from ridiculous. This is a great date night restaurant in Cambria!

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 February 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Always excellent!

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    20 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on 20 February 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience1

    Based on reviews we chose to dine here on our first visit to this area. We were excited when we entered the restaurant as the decor and ambiance were elegant and charming. However, we were lead to the back where we sat in an enclosed porch that was old and dirty. It looked something that was that was built by a homeowner that wanted to add on and didn’t want to pay for a professional to do so. We hoped maybe the food would make up for the lack of most everything back there. But, the food was very disappointing. Clam chowder (supposedly award-winning) was probably the worst tasted. Cheese plate came out with cheddar and some form of white cheese, a few slices of green apples, strawberries, spoon of honey, figs that looked like prunes, and a few chopped nuts—plated on an appetizer sized plate. We ordered ribeyes and the fish of the day. Steaks were okay and my fish was sad. I’m not sure why I mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary as there was no special mention. Staff was nice and attentive. We didn’t have the heart to mention our disappointment. The lava cake was not good. Only the vanilla ice cream was good. Probably should have skipped dessert. Our family is so very disappointed. This is the second bad review I’ve ever felt that I needed to write about any restaurant but, I don’t want anyone to experience what we did. Maybe the Paso Robles location is better? Unfortunately, this spot is highly unrecommended and we have no desire to try the other location.

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40. AB

    AmyB

    San Francisco

    99 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    99 reviews

    Dined on 20 February 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    The place is really cute and the staff was so lovely! The cheese plate was absolutely awesome and the gnocchi were amazing too! We ended the night with a prefect bread pudding! YUM!

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