Bistro 197

Really cozy and beautiful little place. The beef short rib was outstanding. So tender and flavorful. Unfortunately I am participated in “dry January” so I didn’t get to try any of their cocktails or their really nice selection of draft beer. Our waitress Stephanie was very nice and attentive. I would definitely come here again.

Omg the food at Bistro 197 is nothing short of AMAZING. We’ve been wanting to try it out for a while and so glad we finally did. Everything we ordered was on point. It’s been a long time since we’ve been out to eat where the food wasn’t just mediocre. Loved the atmosphere and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. I don’t normally do reviews but this is worth mentioning. Highly recommend!

Went in at late lunchtime and it was not busy. They were out of several menu items however the menu is so well curated I still had trouble choosing! I usually avoid bars but it was worth it for the good food and this time of day there was no bar activity. The service was excellent and the food was scrumptious. I could’ve taken the music a little quieter but I’m a bit unusual when it comes to music 🙃

Lovely new vibe atmosphere and layout. The oyster Mignonette sauce was the best I've ever had. It had pieces of cucumber in it which was new for me. The had every fruit, vegetable, herb or bitter you could think of so making any cocktail under the sun would be no problem.
I was surprised when they didn't have any WIFI for they're patrons especially when almost no cell service for Verizon in the restaurant and 3 separate networks available for the Bistro and all of them locked. Makes zero not to offer one to their customers.

WOW! This place was absolutely amazing. Every dish was exceptional. One of the best meals I've ever had. The presentation of every dish and cocktail was beautifully done and showed love and care that a great meal needs, and everything was cooked perfectly. Everyone was very friendly and the service was spot on she was very helpful and attentive. We got sat at a nice cozy table next to the windows, it was the perfect spot to see the action on the street and still hear the live music playing in the other room. This was a perfect date night dinner with no kids and we definitely will be back again. Food we got: Pork Belly, Bocce Balls, Beef Short Ribs, and Angus Reserve Stockyard Sirloin. Drinks: Gin and Tonic Wind and Spirit, other were Boom Sauce and Greed.

Absolutely amazing!! Food and service were outstanding. Mussels, black shrimp, and bacon balls were so delicious to start. Gnocchi were creamy and the red sauce so flavorful. The sirloin was cooked perfectly. The short rib was fork tender and melted in your mouth. Peanut butter creme brulee was amazing and a first. The peach crisp and vanilla bean ice cream were a great way to end the meal. Drinks are very well crafted. I had the butter beer for my dessert. Amazing!!

This is a cool restaurant. They had live music, great food, and good service. It was BUSY. Highly recommend the apple cheddar galette.

Best short rib I have had in a long time! Although they were very busy the evening I went, the bartender, Summer, kept me informed about any food updates and checked up on me from time to time. I was very impressed in how well she ran a busy bar and also catering to peoples food orders! Definitely a gem at this establishment. Oh and do try the blueberry butter…a perfect blend of sweet and salty which I have never tried before!

Oswego’s best restaurant. Terrific food, stellar service, attractive decor, and good music on Thurs-Saturday. The oysters appetizer and the short ribs entree are my favorites, but it’s hard to go wrong. The menu changes with each season, and the creative cocktail menu is frequently updated, too. Great place for anything from a celebratory dinner to a casual drink at the bar while enjoying some fine local music.

My wife and I went for a late Valentine's Dinner after I reffed a basketball game at SUNY. One word describes our experience: AMAZING!!! It started as we walked in with live music in the background. We didn't have reservations but the hostess offered us a seat at the bar with a full dinner menu. From there, Genevieve took care of the rest. She was prompt with service but never made us feel rushed. The presentation of the food and drinks was astounding. We honored the kitchen by buying them a round (menu option). Thankful we found this spot and highly recommend!!

I have been a handful of times over the years. I always enjoy the atmosphere and delicious food. How the drink menu is written is hilarious and definitely a good conversation starter. Some of the chairs are squeaky and wobbly, not super comfy for bigger people. I’m writing my review tonight because I brought my dad there for the first time tonight at he LOVED it. He is hard to please and he was very satisfied! I loved seeing him happy with his meal and the live music was awesome!

Love the drinks here. The service and atmosphere are great. They have live music on weekends. Now the food. I had a grilled NY strip with shoe string fries and my wife had Beef short rib over white truffle Linguine and I have to say it was terrific

Bistro 197 has two very different personalities regarding its interior design elements. The left side is bright & more traditionally bistro feeling being very open, the right side is warmer, intimate & more upscale bar feeling, with two TV’s playing a mix of sports-ball & pro-wrestling. The staff is friendly. Our server did spill my wife’s serrano & peach pepper martini on my wife & forgot to take my dinner order & my friend’s dinner order & returned later with an apology to take them. Expect a fresh, playful, & tasty craft cocktail program with fresh garnishes & delicious ingredients. There are New & Old World wines for many meals & occasions, including some local CNY wines. The beer & cider list is varied & leans toward regional New England craft beer selections on draught & in cans & bottles. Swill beers are also available for troglodytes dining out trying to “keep it real”. The menus are wittily designed for the astute eye with puns & themes here & there. The oysters are fresh & shucked clean on the half shell, & are accompanied by a bright & lovely mignonette. The beef short rib & gnocchis was comforting & post food coma inducing. I like my short rib with more fat between the muscle fibers, this was a bit over cooked & leaning toward dry, but quite tasty, especially the balsamic BBQ sauce it was served with. The crispy spring rolls with a spare amount of duck, ample cream cheese, & fruity hoisin sauce was comforting & tasty, & large enough to share between two people. The cadence of service is leisurely & occasionally absent for extended periods, yielding way for ample engaging conversation time. As long as you know this & take action to speak up & order more drinks, then you will thoroughly enjoy yourselves. The live music was free but worth paying for. We tipped the band via the convenient QR code on the table. I will definitely return to explore more of the menu, including the handful of mussels dishes & more oysters. This is likely the best restaurant for intimate dining in Oswego.

The smash burger was excellent. The cocktail was just what was needed. Our waiter was the mixologist and saw to our table's needs. It was an lovely late lunch that was perfect to begin our afternoon in Oswego.

I have been hesitant to try this place because I am not a mushroom fan, and for a while it seemed like many of their dishes featured mushrooms. I hit a good time with in-season food that I knew I'd like and took the plunge. The food was amazing. My mom, who is a bit hard to please, said the burger she had was the best she had ever had. My mac and cheese was fabulous. And the drinks! They were incredible. The service was also really friendly and welcoming. Will keep an eye on that rotating menu of theirs and visit again!

What an absolutely superb find! Drink menu that was not only fun to read but delicious to drink. Food that was excellent and service that took it to the next level. We were so pleased to have found this gem! So much so we went back a second night! A must in Oswego

The food was great! Cute little place with great atmosphere and music the night we went. Tasty mocktails and orange cheesecake that was amazing.

Brunch is phenomenal! They rotate through the menu, but highly recommend starting with the mimosa flight. Ask for Emily as a waitress.... so attentive and just a lovely person. Live music often adds a nice ambiance. Highly recommend and will plan on coming back!

The beef short rib is all im going to say. If i had a last meal it would be that from this place. Never had a bad time or bad meal at this place. The smash burger is also fire

This is my second favorite restaurant in town. The food is outstanding and definitely worth the try. Both chefs there put there heart and soul into the food, I definitely recommend trying Bocce Balls, Duck 2 ways and Beef Short Rib. There bartenders are very friendly and so isn't there staff. This is a restaurant you need to try. 10/10